Fred Leonard Tanner, Sr.

Fred Leonard Tanner Sr., 94, of Roanoke, was welcomed home by his Lord and Savior on May 2, 2019.  He was the adoring husband of the late Mildred Webster Tanner for 68 years; the beloved father of Fred, Jr (Jayne) and grandfather of Cory and Nathan. He is survived by five loving nieces and nephews and five great nephews and nieces.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Rebecca Louise, parents Benton and Aurelia Tanner and his sister Barbara Tanner Swortzel (Bill), brother-in-law Bernard Webster (Ettie), and sister-in-law, Ruth Bell Welford (Otho), and niece Alice Ann Bell.
As a WWII Navy veteran, Fred was proud to serve his country.  He worked for 48 years in the printing department at the Roanoke Times and World News.  Fred’s love for God led him to teach Sunday School for 53 years, and volunteer for the Virginia State Gideon’s International where he served as President for a few years.  He spread his faith by regularly visiting those who were sick, in prison, at the Rescue Mission, and served as a chaplain for Friendship Manor. Fred was an avid fisherman and hunter and loved his dogs and Roanoke mountains and streams.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Faith Alliance Church, 7505 Barrens Rd, Roanoke, VA  24019 or Gideon’s International, Roanoke Camp, P.O. Box 7472, Roanoke, VA 24019.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on May 5, 2019 at Faith Alliance Church. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Family will receive friends from 3-6 pm on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Rd, Roanoke, VA 24019.