Stephen Richard Tanner

Stephen Richard Tanner, age 73, died Monday, December 8, 2014 in St. George, Utah. He was born April 26, 1941 in Payson, Utah to LaVar Robert and Reeda Idonna Neilson Tanner. On February 12, 1975 he married Iola Sue Tanner in Overton, Nevada.

At age eight, Steve moved with his family to Overton, Nevada where he lived the rest of his life. He served in the US Air Force as a Weather Observer, and later as a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) during the Vietnam era. He was present at the final above ground nuclear tests conducted by the US Air Force. (Dominic II, Sunbeam). After Stephen left the Air Force he worked as a truck driver, before becoming a mill and equipment operator at Simplot for 35 years.

After losing his daughter, who was killed by a drunk driver, he worked tirelessly with his wife in the Nevada Chapter of STOP DUI where he became Vice President of the chapter.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking and exploring the hills. He won awards for competition shooting, hill climbs and enjoyed photography.

Survivors include his wife, Sue of Overton; three sons: Richard (Mendy) of Newport News, VA; Donald of Salt Lake City, UT; Trinity (Sheila) of Overton, NV; six grandchildren and two brothers, Robert (Betty) of Overton, NV, and Ray (Margaret) of Las Vegas, NV.

Private services will be held by the family. Special Operations Community Honors will be held privately by the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Joint Special Operations Command at Ft. Bragg, NC.