Calvin C. Tanner

Calvin Coolidge Tanner, age 94, Hoover, AL, passed away peacefully at home October 8, 2019. He is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years Elmira Tanner, son Daryl Tanner (“Vicki”) San Antonio, TX, son Denis Tanner (“Patti”) Hoover, AL, grandchildren Tenley Barrow San Antonio, TX, Andrew Tanner Selma, AL, Jenna Tanner Witcher (“Adam”) Birmingham, AL, Daniel Tanner Dallas, TX, and Caleb Tanner Marion, AL, five great grandchildren Landon and Ashlyn Barrow San Antonio, TX, Hadley Tanner Hoover, AL, Anne Mabry Witcher & Haynes Witcher Birmingham, AL, his brother Gene Tanner (Gerry) Mariana, FL, and sister in laws Evelyn Schmitz Mobile, AL, Bobby Tanner The Woodlands, TX. He was preceded in death by his son Calvin Jr., brothers, Olen Tanner, Clyde Tanner, Bruce Tanner, and by his parents Dual and Leona Tanner. Calvin was born in Semmes, AL Sept 14th, 1925. He attended school in Semmes, worked often on the family farm, at the local feed store and then became a butcher at a nearby grocery store.

In 1944 at the age of 18, Calvin enlisted in the US Army and served in WWII. He earned the Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, 3 Bronze Stars, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal and a Purple Heart. He was wounded on D-Day at Utah Beach. He returned home from WWII in March 1946. He carried to his grave much of the shrapnel from many battles in WWII. After receiving his honorable discharge, Calvin returned to Semmes, AL and married Elmira Shumock where they settled in a house the family built in Crawford, AL. He went to work at Brookley AFB in Mobile. He also farmed in his spare time growing fresh produce and selling it in front of the family house on Moffett Road. He began his civil service career in the warehouse and “worked his way up” with long hours and hard work as an Engineer. He earned several promotions. When Brookley AFB was closed, he was offered a promotion to a position at Kelley AFB in San Antonio, Texas. His hard work and long hours earned Calvin numerous awards and promotions. Included in his awards were several “Superior Performance Awards”, but he was especially proud of his “Zero Defect Award”. Calvin strived for perfection. We wanted all parts installed in the massive C5A cargo carrier to be perfect. This plane carried men and equipment in support of the war effort in Vietnam. Calvin often said, “With perfection comes safety!”.

At 50 he retired from Kelly AFB and moved back Semmes and started farming. He grew crops and raised livestock. Being a Deacon since 1957, Calvin was very involved in Semmes First Baptist Church and Cemetery. He was active in his community and was a member of the Semmes Lions Club. He built a cabin and barn near a lake he constructed. It was a place he could go to enjoy nature. He loved the natural beauty God bestowed upon us and always talked about the trees and animals. He earned the “Treasure Forest” award for being a good steward of the land. Calvin loved to work hard. There were few people who could keep up with his pace! He was a great planner and was blessed with an abundance of common sense. He could tie over 30 different knots and knew how to ride a horse well, and get the most out of the land. He loved to hunt and fish but loved the Lord and his family even more. He taught his sons and grandchildren how to hunt safely, fish with patience, farm with wisdom, pack and move, maintain the yard and equipment, cut and bail hay, tie knots and be hard working and faithful servants of the Lord. Calvin, grew up at Semmes First Baptist and after the war he joined the church. Later he was a member of Moffett Road Baptist and later help charter Crawford Baptist and became a deacon. He was a member of Marshall Baptist in San Antonio and later Semmes First. His last 15 years he was active at Shades Crest Baptist Church. Throughout his life he loved the Lord and showed his love by the way he cared for others. Calvin loved helping others and he cared for the needy and the elderly. He is deeply missed by his family for his love, faithfulness, discipline and guidance. The family would like to invite friends and family to his celebration of life on Sunday, October 13th, 1:00PM Visitation, 2:00PM Memorial Service at Shades Crest Baptist Church Hoover, AL. The graveside service and burial will be at Semmes First Baptist Cemetery, Saturday, October 12th, 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, Calvin’s family suggest donations be made to Shades Crest Baptist Church – Empowering The Future-Fund.