Famous J. Tankersley

1935 - 2018

Famous J. Tankersley passed from this life on October 27, 2018, at his home where he was surrounded with love from his wife and family. Famous was born on April 28, 1935 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Beauford & Eva Tankersley.

He went to Webster High school. He was employed at Flint Steel in Tulsa from 1952-1953 as a Punch Press Operator. He worked a variety of jobs before entering the military. Famous faithfully served his country in the United States Army with the 82nd Airborne, where he was stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal Parachutist Badge. He received an injury while in the service and became a disabled veteran. He later went to Okmulgee Tech and started working in electronics as a quality control inspector for multiple businesses.

Famous met and later married the love of his life Jeanne K. Sperling. They were blessed to be able to spend 30 years of their life together. In their time together, they grew a love for antiquing, garage selling and going to auctions. Famous loved to spoil his grandchildren and great-grandchildren with treasures he would find on his and Jeanne’s adventures.

Famous enjoyed collecting many things, such as antique clocks. At one time he had a clock shop where he would repair and restore clocks that needed ‘fixing’.

He had such a caring and compassionate heart, one nephew described him as having compassion but was a fearless warrior who was a defender of the weak and a gentle giant. He was loved and will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Jeanne and their children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren and many other family and close friends.

Services will be held at 2pm on Thursday, November 1st, 2018 at Smith Funeral Home, 1208 S. Main St, Sapulpa, OK. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home, 1208 S Main St, Sapulpa, OK.