Wallace Raymond Tant

The graveside funeral service for Mr. Tant will be Thursday, September 14, 2017, at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham at 11 a.m.

Everyone is invited also to the special memorial service on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 10 a.m. at the chapel at St. Martin's in the Pines, 4941 Montevallo Road, Irondale, AL, 35210.

Mr. Tant was born in Birmingham on December 24, 1927, and he lived there the majority of his life. He was owner and president of his family business, Gammon Display, where his skill as a graphic designer attracted major, national and local clients such as U.S. Pipe and Alabama Power. Upon his retirement, the business was passed on to a close nephew.

Mr. Tant was an artistic, creative craftsman, who was known all over the southeast for the incredible dollhouses and miniatures that he built for so many children. Many were his own design, but several were exact replicas of existing structures. He took pride in every shingle of every dollhouse and even taught a course in miniature building at UAB in their Special Studies program.

Mr. Tant also loved Big Band music and was a talented drummer. He played for many years with some of the top local bands of the Big Band Era, such as Buddy Harris and his Orchestra, and continued to work as a musician well into his 70's. He passed on his love of music to his grandchildren.

Mr. Tant was an excellent cook and loved to entertain friends and family. He loved a good joke, never met a stranger, and was remembered and loved by all who met him. He loved Alabama football and Atlanta Braves baseball. He was also a dedicated member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Most of all, Mr. Tant loved his family - especially his grandchildren, who were his pride and joy.

Mr. Tant was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Katherine Tant; sister, Betty Colee; and brother, Robert Tant. Survivors include Mr. Tant's wife of 69 years, Juanita Real Tant; daughters, Cynthia Tant Bahri and Melanie Tant Driver (Homer); grandchildren, Natalie Bahri Fortson (Joel), Kevin Bahri, and Andrew Driver; sister, Dickie Tant Knopf; and numerous nieces and nephews. Extended family includes Kiumars Bahri and Mary Buchanan Bahri.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Mountain Brook, Alabama.