Douglas Woodrow Tanner was born in Ash Switch, Texas to Jewell Mae Smith Tanner and Wallace Dewey Tanner. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II as a member of the “Daredevil Tankers”, a name the 740th Tank Battalion exemplified many times throughout the Battle of the Bulge and many other battles.
He married Mary Jo soon after the war and they lived in Athens, Tyler, Fort Worth and Dallas, retiring to Athens and Matchstick Acres. One of our “Greatest Generation”, he served in many civic organizations as a volunteer and leader, including the Boy Scouts, American Cancer Society, Keep Athens Beautiful, Athens Kiwanis Club and was a founding/lifetime member of the East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society, serving as President for several years.
Douglas was a member of the Church of Christ and enjoyed serving the Lord with many life-long church friends. He was known as the “Matchman” from his more than fifty-year career as salesman and sales manager with the Diamond Match Company. He loved God, his family, ranching, fishing, hunting, and helping others.
Douglas was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary Jo, sisters Dimp Smith, Daluh Dean (Tootie) Wyrick, and Mary Doyle Houston Smith, niece Delayne Warner and nephew Ronnie Smith. He is survived by his daughter Deborah Jewell Deas (David), their children Derek Deas (Haley) and Dustin Deas (Summer) and great-granddaughter Caroline Deas and his son Philip Douglas Tanner (Laura), their children Amy Tanner, Jimmie Cornett and Allison Ball (Jay) and great-grandchildren Braelee and Braeden Ball. Also surviving him are nieces Sylvia Lewis, Ann Alotto, Lynda Kay Brown, and nephew Don Houston along with other family members and many, many wonderful friends.
Funeral services have been scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday March 30, 2018 at Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
If desired memorials may be made to the East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society P.O. Box 2231 Athens, Texas 75751 or Arms of Hope 21300 State Hwy. 16 North Medina, Texas 78055.