Claude Ray Tanner

Ray Tanner, age 97, of Atlanta, GA, passed away on November 17, 2022. He was the son of the late Luck Leroy Tanner and Myrtie Olivia Gravitt Tanner.

He attended Tech High School. At age 18, he volunteered for the U.S. Navy and served aboard a small escort ship in the Pacific. Participated in the invasion of Okinawa. Upon Japan’s surrender, his crew entered Japan at 4 ports to confirm the Japanese people had accepted the surrender. He was discharged after 27 months of service.

He was self-employed as an insurance agent for 44 years, most of this time operating as The Ray Tanner Insurance Agency. He was Past Master of the Kirkwood Masonic Lodge and a member of the Yaarab Shrine Temple. He founded and chaired for many years the Kirkwood Boys Reunion, an annual gathering of his many childhood friends from that neighborhood.

His family and friends marveled at his remarkable memory of names, numbers, and places. He was the epitome of ‘never met a stranger’, and was a trusted, loyal friend to a wide array of people. He loved playing tennis, listening to country music, and swing dancing.

He is survived by his children Ray, Curtis, Randy, Mary Helen Little, Craig and Meg, and 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his 4 brothers and 5 sisters.

A graveside service will be held Monday, November 28, 2022 at 2:00pm in Resthaven Garden of Memory, Decatur, Georgia with Rev. Calvin Yarborough officiating.  A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his memory to Shriners Hospitals for Children                             ( www.lovetotherescue.org <http://www.lovetotherescue.org> ).