Paul James Tanner

Paul James Tanner Jr. passed away Thursday, January 15, 2026. He is survived by his wife Rebecca A Valdivieso Tanner, his daughter Suzanne & husband Mark, grandson Scott & his wife Brittny, brother-in-law Steven Valdivieso, cousin Helen Holmes, along with nephews, grandchildren, family and friends.

Paul had a great love of life. He could do anything he set his mind to. Growing up in California, he loved school and was always an "A" student. He also enjoyed fishing, flying, working on cars with his dad, and horseback riding. He graduated from James Marshall in 1959 where he then went to work at the Mill with his father. He also worked at McKesson Medical and then he started his own breakfast/lunch restaurant in Sacramento, lived in Colorado a bit, moved to Hawaii, where he finished/graduated from the University of Hawaii in Business. He ran 2 different restaurants in Hawaii, then moved back to the mainland to CA, where he settled and became a property manager. After several years he moved to the Bay Area, continuing as a property manager.

A year later he met Bec, they became good friends and eventually married in May 2003. They were married for 23 years. A visit to Tennessee to see family, eventually brought them here. They opened a shop called "Paul & Bec's Hobbies & Trains, which they had for 4 years in Halls, that continually led to his passion for trains. His wife went to work for Knox County Schools Special Ed. Besides travel, which he loved, he would always say we're going on a Bec & Paul adventure.

He also enjoyed music, symphonies, movies, history, astrology, cooking, baking, which he was known for through Bec's school and friends. Paul had a very creative mind, he liked to construct and build a variety of projects., like the beautiful ship he built from a book Bec had given him, or anything he could get his hands on. He was known for his quick wit, his infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate loving heart. He will truly be missed by all.

A celebration of Life will be held on March 20, 2026, at 6pm at the Click Funeral Home on Middlebrook Pike.