Francis Gale Tanner

Francis Gale Tanner died Friday, August 19, 2022, at Haven of Lakeside in Lakeside, Arizona. He was 81 years old. Gale was born on February 6, 1941, in Holbrook, Arizona to his parents, the late Carl H. and Birdie Marilla (Jarvis) Tanner. 

Gale graduated with Mesa High School’s Class of 1959. A few short years later, he married his forever sweetheart, Joy Call, on April 13, 1962, in the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One by one, they added children to their growing family and, ultimately, became the proud parents of six.

By his own example, Gale taught his children the value of hard work and the importance of working “by the sweat of one’s brow.” He lived the life of a trucker and, in his early years, hauled livestock for Caldwell's Pig Farm and later L.W. Miller.  As an independent trucker, he owned and operated his own rig.  

Throughout his life, Gale enjoyed camping with his family which, almost always, included some great fishing at the lakes. He also was a huge supporter of his family and loved attending the many sporting events, not only of his children but, of his grandchildren too. In the past several years, his sidekick was his little Chihuahua dog, T.C. and they were nearly inseparable. 

Francis Gale Tanner is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joy Tanner of Taylor, Arizona; 5 children: Troy L. (Jennifer K.) Tanner of Pinetop, Arizona, Gaylene (Arnold A.) Ruiz of Gilbert, Arizona, Sharalee (Loren) Yellowhair of Taylor, Arizona, Justin G. (Taralee) Tanner of Snowflake, Arizona, Janae (Santiago) Ayala of Apache Junction, Arizona; 18 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.

Along with his parents, Gale was preceded in death by an infant son, Carl Trevis Tanner; his brother, Robert “Bob” Tanner, and by his sister, Joan Carol Tanner.

A public viewing will begin Friday, September 2, 2022, from 11:00 A.M. to 11:45 A.M.  at Owens Livingston Mortuary - Heritage Chapel, 84 E. 19th S. in Snowflake, Arizona. The graveside service will follow at 12:00 noon, at the Reed Hatch Memorial Cemetery in Taylor, Arizona.