Robert “Bobby” Tanner, retired Cushing High School coach and teacher, passed away Saturday morning, November 29, 2014, at his home, at the age of 61 years.
The son of the late Murl Tanner and Melva Vance Tanner, Bobby was born on November 11, 1953 in Fairfax, Oklahoma. He was raised and educated in Pawnee, graduating from Pawnee High School. He attended University of Central Oklahoma where he ran track for three years. He completed his education at Oklahoma State University, earning a Master’s Degree.
He married Donna Pennel on January 2, 1993.
Prior to his retirement from Cushing in 2013, Bobby had coached at Ralston for 7 years, Prague for 8 years and Cushing for 18 years. His basketball coaching record stands at 564 wins and 207 losses. In addition to coaching men’s basketball at Cushing, he coached the men and women’s golf team, leading the women’s team to a state victory. Bobby also taught Civics and Oklahoma History.
Bobby was baptized in the Pawnee First Baptist Church and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cushing, where for several years he had helped teach the 4 year old Sunday School Class.
Bobby was proud of his one mile run school record held at Pawnee. While attending UCO he operated the communications board for the House of Representatives.
His hobbies included anything to do outdoors. He loved playing golf, landscaping, remodeling homes, painting or just fiddling with things. After his retirement from coaching and teaching, he became involved in rental properties in Cushing, and was looking forward to buying houses, fixing them up and renting them.
He is survived by his wife Donna of the home; his children, Philip Tanner and wife Lisa of Oklahoma City, Julie Tanner and fiancé Mike Headley of Fort Worth, Stephen Tanner and wife Mari of Oklahoma City, Aaron Tanner of Oklahoma City, Nick Tanner of Cushing, Brandon Pennel and wife Jennise of Moore, Bryan Pennel of Moore and Stacy Shannon and husband Lewis of Perkins; two brothers, Richard Tanner and his wife Randi of Broken Arrow and David Tanner and his wife Marilyn of Edmond; one sister Karen Hudspeth and her husband Jim of Broken Arrow; his grandchildren, Rhyder Morrow of Cushing, Scott and Casey Tanner of Oklahoma City, Macie and Breece Pennel of Moore and Cooper Shannon of Perkins; his mother and father-in-law, Sonny and Veva Simmons of Seminole; one sister-in-law Vicki Henson and her husband John of Seminole; several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two infant sons, Barry Wayne Tanner and Scott Evan Tanner and one brother, James Tanner.
Funeral services will be Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church with Vic Bruns and two former players, Robbie Rice and Josh Greer, officiating. Burial will follow in the Euchee Valley Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family will greet friends on Wednesday evening, December 3, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Floyd Family Center, east of the Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Cancer Research or to the Bobby Tanner Memorial Scholarship, set up at the Bank of Cushing.
You may share your condolences with the Tanner family at www.davisfh.net.
