03/28/08 - NNHS Newsletter - Al Tanner

Allen Clarence Tanner, Sr.
(24 Aug 1924 - 26 Mar 2008)

NEWPORT NEWS - Allen Clarence Tanner Sr. of Newport News, Va., passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, after a valiant struggle with cancer.

He is survived by his devoted wife of almost 60 years, Mary Harrell Tanner; two sons, Allen Clarence Tanner Jr. and his wife, Deborah Griffin Tanner, Benjamin Harrell Tanner and his wife, Mary Jane Tanner; a daughter, Elizabeth Tanner Burrus and her husband, Peter Michael Burrus, of Glen Cove, N.Y.; and six grandchildren, Courtney Patricia Tanner, Allen Clarence Tanner III, Benjamin Cullen Tanner, Michael Harrell Tanner, Elizabeth Preston Burrus and Peter Michael Burrus Jr.; as well as loyal brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Al, as he is known by his family, was born in Victoria, Va., on Aug. 24, 1924, to Annie Elizabeth Brown and William Fisher Tanner. He graduated from The College of William and Mary and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Following college, he attended the Marshall Wythe School of Law. During World War II, he served as an intelligence officer in the United States Navy and is a distinguished member of the Sino-American Cooperative Organization for Americans who fought in China. He received the Medal of Honor from this organization for his service during the war.

He began his professional career as a certified public accountant and tax attorney, in Newport News, and founded the accounting firm known as Tanner, Eggleston and Smith, which operated from 1956 until 1973. During his career, he was active not only in the professional community, but also in civic and religious activities. He was a director of the Bank of Virginia, Chairman of the Peninsula United Fund and Chairman of the Board of Governors for Peninsula Cerebral Palsy. He was President of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants and was a founding member of the Peninsula Chapter. He was also active with the Newport News Bar Association, Virginia Bar Association and the American Institute of CPAs. He served as President of both the Hampton Roads Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Newport News Kiwanis Club. He taught adult education classes as an adjunct professor for Christopher Newport University and George Washington University. He was also a member of the James River Country Club and the Hampton Roads Assembly.

Al devoted much time to his beloved college and was instrumental in the formation of the Order of the White Jacket at the College of William and Mary. He was named Director Emeritus of the OWJ in October 2007 in recognition of loyal and faithful service as a Charter Member, Lifetime Member, Board Member and officer. In addition to the OWJ, he was active with the William and Mary Alumni Association and received the Alumni Service Award. He was a devout member of Hilton Baptist Church for over 50 years where he served as Trustee, lifetime deacon and Sunday school teacher.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 30, at the James River Country Club in Newport News. A funeral service is planned for Monday, March 31, at 11 a.m. at the Hilton Baptist Church in Newport News with burial to follow at Peninsula Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hilton Baptist Church, 101 Main St., Newport News, VA 23601, or Mariposa Hospice House, c/o Rev. Sam Trent, 372 Hiden Blvd., Newport News, VA 23606.

Published in the Daily Press on 3/2/2008.
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