Richard Henry Tanksley

Richard Henry Tanksley, 96, passed away in a local healthcare facility Tuesday, December 18, 2018.  He was a World War II veteran and served in the United States Air Force.  He was a gunner on the B-29 in the South Pacific. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Zeda Whaley Tanksley; parents, Abe Tanksley and Veda Taylor Tanksley; siblings, Elizabeth Turner, Elaine Teats, Raymond Tanksley, Edna Woodward, Jess Tanksley, and Emmalee Guffey.

He is survived by four children, Richard H. Tanksley, Jr. and wife Julie of Meigs County, Ruth Ann Jones of Cleveland, Marvin Tanksley and wife Diane of Old Fort, TN, and Carolyn Goins and husband Randy of Cleveland; eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; one sister, Edith Gates of Cleveland, and several nieces and nephews also survive.

A celebration of life service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 20, 2018 in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory with Reverend Keith Watson officiating.  Interment will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 21, 2018 in Sunset Memorial Gardens with Jamie Tanksley, Richard Tanksley III, Brandon Tanksley, Tyler Tanksley, Anthony Kemper, Matthew Woodward, Austin Delk, and Jeff Moore serving as pallbearers.  A white dove release ceremony, the playing of bagpipes, and Military Honors will conclude the service.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home prior to the service. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 7625 Hamilton Park Drive Suite 6, Chattanooga, TN  37421.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Tanksley family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.