Samuel Charles Tanner

Samuel Charles Tanner, of Cumming, GA, passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on January 5th, 2023 at the age of 79. He was a native of Daytona Beach, FL, born on July 21st, 1943. As a teenager, he moved with his family to Marietta, GA, where he played high school football and developed his leadership skills.

In 1966, Sam graduated from North Georgia College where he was a member of the Scabbard and Blade (military honor society) as well as Rex Fraternity (which later became Sigma Nu Fraternity). He served proudly in the United States Army in the 1st Signal Brigade and was a Vietnam Veteran. He worked in the corporate world for many years before earning a master's degree at West Georgia College in 1994 and teaching math in both public and private schools.

He loved vacationing by the Atlantic Ocean in his native Florida and ordering the Captain's Platter at any seafood restaurant. Sam always bragged about the delicious meals that his wife cooked for him. He absolutely loved to eat good food. He had a lifelong love of sports and was a passionate fan of the Georgia Bulldogs and the Atlanta Braves, bonding with his wife's first husband Dale M. Stone, Jr. as they formed their own "Bulldog Breakfast Club." He was a proud alumnus of North Georgia College (now UNG) in Dahlonega, GA, which was also the alma mater of his brother Chuck and many other family members. Sam loved our country with all his heart and was a true Patriot. He was a member of Grace Chapel Church of Christ in Cumming.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, John Cassidy Tanner, Sr. and Pierce McEachern Tanner, and by his sister Patricia Tanner Smith. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Elaine Worthington Tanner of Cumming, GA; son Brian C. Tanner of Atlanta, GA; daughter Amy Tanner Cox of Port St. Lucie, FL; stepdaughter Lori Stone of Cumming, GA; and stepson Jeff Stone (Deanna) of Bremen, GA. His grandchildren include Matthew Tanner, Tanner Cox, Tennessee Cox, and Maren Stewart-Tanner; his step granddaughters are Taylor Stone and Jacie Stone. Sam leaves behind first wife Beth Wrye Tanner of Tybee Island, GA; beloved brother John C. Tanner, Jr. (Miriam) of Canton, GA; nephews Jeff Smith, Kevin Smith (Staci), John C. Tanner, III (Allyson), Justin Tanner, and Jameson Tanner (Kaley June); son-in-law David Cox; and several grandnephews and grandnieces.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12 pm on Wednesday, January 11th, 2023, at McDonald & Son Funeral Home, 150 Sawnee Drive in Cumming, GA. A visitation will precede the service at 11 am. A graveside service will take place at 2:30 at Georgia National Cemetery, 2025 Mount Carmel Church Lane, Canton, GA.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made in Sam's honor to the University of North Georgia Corps of Cadets. Please visit https://tinyurl.com/For-Sam-Tanner, scroll up or down for your choice of designation, and put Samuel C. Tanner's name in the drop-down box labeled "In Honor/Memory of Someone Special."