James Richard Tanner

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Richard graduated from Columbia High School in 1974. He attended the Georgia Institute of Technology and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Management in 1979. He obtained his executive MBA at the Goizuetta Business School at Emory University.

He began his career in commercial real estate with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in 1979 and rose to position of Regional Office Manager in Tampa, Florida from 1988-1991. He held additional positions as Vice President of Asset Management with Aegon USA Realty Advisors for seven years, Director of Underwriting with Reliant Professional Services and completed his career at Situs in Atlanta, Georgia as Vice President Advisory and Asset Management from 2014-2020. He was a results oriented professional with a successful record of accomplishments in the commercial real estate lending and service fields. He always demonstrated strong leadership and was well known for his excellent communication skills that were needed to accomplish corporate and divisional goals.

Richard was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. He loved the outdoors and was an accomplished hunter and camper and enjoyed woodworking. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. The highlights of his life were seeing his son, Chris, play football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, begin his career as a CPA, and see Chris marry Casey.

Richard was preceded in death by his father, James Kenneth Tanner. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Katherine McQuay Tanner, son, James Christopher Tanner (Casey), mother, Jean Johns Tanner, sister, Linda Watkins, sister, Susan King (Robert), and his nieces and nephews.

A special thank you is given to Dr. Steven J. Eisenberg, Dr. Mitchell Blass, and other providers/staff at Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital who provided excellent care for Richard over the years and during his most recent illness.

A memorial service to celebrate Richard’s life will take place on Saturday, September 25, 2021. Visitation will take place from 2:00 - 3:00 pm and service begins at 3:00 pm at H.M. Patterson & Son – Oglethorpe Hill Chapel located at 4550 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30319. A reception will be held immediately following service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s memory can be made to the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society.