RUSSELL TANNER

TANNER, RUSSELL March 21, 1923 to October 5, 2010 Russell Tanner passed away at his Chula Vista home on October 5, 2010. He was a devoted family man and a trusted friend to many. He was born March 21, 1923 in Rocky River, OH, the youngest of three children of George and Doris Tanner. His father died when he was six and he was raised by his remarkable mother. After graduation from Dover High School in what is now know as Westlake, OH, he attended The Ohio State University. During his freshman year, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. As a member of NROTC, he enlisted in the Navy in 1942. While he never returned to college, he remained a loyal Ohio State Buckeye for life. In 1943, he transferred his enlistment to the Marine Corps and became an Marine aviator. He was not deployed during World War II but his service did bring him to El Toro MCAS in Orange County where he met and fell in love with Elizabeth "Bettie" Lacy. They were married in Santa Ana on November 20, 1946 and they were married for nearly 64 years. Russell was activated during the Korean War and served a tour of duty in Korea followed by a year as a flight instructor at Pensacola NAS. Upon his discharge, the family, returned to Santa Ana where they lived for many years, raising their three sons. He worked for over 40 years as a salesman in the packaging industry. Russell and Bettie remained in Santa Ana for many years before relocating to Chula Vista in 1998 to be closer to family. Russell was very involved with the Episcopal Church, serving as a lay reader and on the vestry. For many years he served at the Church of the Messiah in Santa Ana and later at St. John's Episcopal Church in Chula Vista. He was also very active in the Elks, serving as the Grand Exalted Ruler of the Santa Ana Lodge and the District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in Southern California. He later joined the Chula Vista Lodge. Russell is survived by his wife Bettie, three sons (Ross, Ric and Scott) and their spouses (Kathy, Nancy and Sonia), five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 2:00 on November 3rd at St. John's Episcopal Church in Chula Vista.