David Ernest Tanner

3/12/1940 - 11/25/2016

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Obituary For David Ernest Tanner

Passed away peacefully on Friday, November 25th surrounded by family at his home in Newark, CA. He was 76 years old. He touched many lives with his humor and outgoing personality.

Dave was born in Mansfield, OH on March 12th, 1940 to Ferdinand and Mary Tanner. He attended Mansfield Senior High School where he played football and was prom king. He graduated from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. He was an enthusiastic member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and made life long friendships there.

He came to California as part of a sports car racing crew. He met his future wife, Judith, in Los Angeles. Working as a supplier to the trucking industry in sales and management, he always felt that his customers were more than just customers, they were his friends.

Dave was an avid golfer. He ran a popular and successful invitational golf tournament at Lake Tahoe for more than 40 years. He attended the 50th tournament just a few months ago. He valued all his relationships with returning players from all over the United States. For many years Dave was the media liaison at the AT&T Pro Am Golf Tournament at Pebble Beach. He really enjoyed his duties helping the golfers and celebrities in such beautiful surroundings. He loved the history, tradition, and camaraderie of that tournament.

In his retirement, he spent his free time with his children and grandchildren and extended family. There were parties, games, and meals together almost every month. He joined SIR (Sons In Retirement) in Newark. He was a volunteer for the city of Newark graffiti abatement group and a block captain for the Neighborhood Watch program. Dave and his wife loved to travel. They went to all 50 states and experienced the culture and sights of nearly 50 foreign countries. Gardening was one of his favorite pastimes.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Ferdinand and Mary Tanner. He is survived by his wife of almost 50 years Judith; children: Jason, and Nicholas and his wife Tabitha; grandchildren: Zachary, and Nathan; and sister: Connie Shumate and her husband Ivan of OH. He is also survived by nephews, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, December 4th, 11am at Fremont Memorial Chapel, 3723 Peralta Blvd., Fremont, CA 94536. Inurnment at Irvington Memorial Cemetery in Fremont, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of David to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Dave will be missed by so many. May his memory live on.

Services

TBD

Cemetery

Irvington Memorial Cemetery 41001 Chapel Way Fremont, CA 94538 Get Directions »
4 Dec

Celebration of Life

11:00 AM

Fremont Memorial Chapel 3723 Peralta Boulevard Fremont, CA 94536 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

  • 10/01/2021

    David was a person anyone would be proud to call a friend. I so enjoyed playing golf with him, and getting to know him over the years. Dave had a way of bringing out the best of me on the golf course. You will be missed David Tanner!

  • 10/01/2021

    1 file added to the album Memories Album

  • 10/01/2021

    David was a wonderful gentleman, kind, generous, humorous, always encouraging, a very fun guy with whom to play golf and chat with at SIR meetings!! He loved to tease, but always in a humorous, never offensive way. He was very smart, well spoken and always ready to lend a hand. I will really miss his friendship, even though we were only acquainted a few years. Rest in peace, Sir David. Jim Ulam

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