Dr. James Douglas Tanner, Sr.

Dr. James Douglas Tanner Sr., 86, passed away on Wednesday, December 28th.

Douglas, as he was known to family and friends, was born in Atlanta in 1930. The youngest of Roscoe and Mary Tanner's five children, he grew up in Atlanta's Virginia-Highland neighborhood and graduated from Grady High School in 1949. 

He served in the Air Force from 1950 to 1954, and was in basic training when the love of his life, Neallia Harmon, called and said, "Daddy says we can get married." They did just that in 1951. 

He graduated from the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine in 1960 and served as State Veterinarian of Georgia in the 1960's. He had his own private practice in McDonough, GA in the 1970's and once performed a rare equine cesarean. He joined the US Department of Agriculture in 1977 and served 20 years as Veterinarian-in-Charge in Miami and Gainesville, FL and Jackson, MS. He rescued and brought home countless dogs over the years, the latest being Buddy-a scruffy yet faithful companion that only he could love.

Upon retirement, he and Neallia built their dream home in their beloved North Georgia Mountains and became active members of Nacoochee United Methodist Church. He will be sorely missed in section 127 of Sanford Stadium, where he held UGA football season tickets for 50 years. 

He is pre-deceased by his beloved wife; sisters Louise Tanner Yarborough and Barbara Tanner Dellinger. 

He is survived by his brothers Roscoe Tanner and Cecil Tanner; his children, James Douglas Tanner Jr. and wife Cile Tinley Tanner, David Harmon Tanner and wife Michelle Simmons Tanner, and Deeann Tanner Jones and husband Keith Jones; grandchildren Matthew Tanner, Katie Pinckard Tanner, Claire Tanner, Kyle Jones, Hannah Jones, Tanner Jones, and Bess Jones, and seven great-grandchildren. 

There will be a graveside service on Saturday, December 31st, at 11:00 A.M. at Nacoochee Methodist Church. 

Family requests donations to Nacoochee United Methodist in lieu of flowers:

Nacoochee United Methodist Church
1371 GA-17
Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571