Obituary for George "Buddy" Tanner
George Olen “Buddy” Tanner rejoices in the presence of his Savior. The family will begin
welcoming friends at their family home in Frogmore, LA, on Monday, September 7th at 9:00
a.m., and the remembrance will begin outside at 10:00 a.m. in front of the home. Services will
be jointly conducted by Rev. Stuart Sherman and Rev. Clyde Ray Webber. Buddy was an
active member of Sevier Memorial United Methodist Church having served on the Board of
Trustees.
Buddy, an only child, was born on November 30, 1941, in Tensas Parish and was raised near
many cousins his age who were like siblings. His mother was a teacher and continued her
degree in the summers, so Buddy lived with his cousins, the Clarke and Coleman families, and
served as a lifeguard on Lake Bruin. He graduated from Davidson High School and played
basketball and football. He then continued playing football at Northwestern State College until
transferring to Northeast and finishing in business administration. His family remembers him as
a thoughtful and always generous patriarch.
Since 1965, he operated the Frogmore Gin and farmed Frogmore Plantation. In 1990, he and
his wife Lynette built Tanner & Co. Gin, and later that year he won the Outstanding Ginner of
the Year award over the five midsouth states. The following year they partnered in the
construction and operation of Alabama Gin Company. Respected by his peers, he served as a
producer, ginner, and warehouse delegate to the National Cotton Council. He was selected as
the Outstanding Ginner of the United States in 1991 based on his increased production and
customer service at Tanner & Co and his local community involvement. He along with his loyal
staff insisted on having the most up-to-date and robust gin operation and strived for perfection
for his customers.
Buddy is survived by his wife, Lynette Ater Tanner, and their five children Dr. Virginia “Jennie”
Thurston, George Tanner, Jr. and girlfriend Brigit Persson, John Elliott Branton and wife Robin,
Donald Wayne Branton, and Lauren Tanner Stinson and her husband Doug. Buddy also had
ten grandchildren he loved dearly, Tate, Searcy, Quin, Harrison, and Suzannah Branton;
Conner and Abby Branton; and Ainsley, Tanner, and Hallie Stinson. He was preceded in death
by his parents, Olen and Elizabeth Clarke Tanner and many other beloved family members.
The family expresses with deepest appreciation their gratitude for the friendship, medical care,
and support of Dr. Andrew McWhorter.
Pallbearers will be Don Ater, Ed Ater, Conner Branton, Tate Branton, Claude Clarke, Lane
Clarke, Tom Clarke, and Pollard Thomas. Honorary Pallbearers are Wiliam David Clarke,
William Coleman, Fritz Martty, Tommy Martty, George Edward Thomas, and Mickey Thomas.
Memorial donations may be made to Louisiana Methodist Children and Family Service, 904 DeVille Lane, Ruston Louisiana, 71270, Phone 318-255-5020
welcoming friends at their family home in Frogmore, LA, on Monday, September 7th at 9:00
a.m., and the remembrance will begin outside at 10:00 a.m. in front of the home. Services will
be jointly conducted by Rev. Stuart Sherman and Rev. Clyde Ray Webber. Buddy was an
active member of Sevier Memorial United Methodist Church having served on the Board of
Trustees.
Buddy, an only child, was born on November 30, 1941, in Tensas Parish and was raised near
many cousins his age who were like siblings. His mother was a teacher and continued her
degree in the summers, so Buddy lived with his cousins, the Clarke and Coleman families, and
served as a lifeguard on Lake Bruin. He graduated from Davidson High School and played
basketball and football. He then continued playing football at Northwestern State College until
transferring to Northeast and finishing in business administration. His family remembers him as
a thoughtful and always generous patriarch.
Since 1965, he operated the Frogmore Gin and farmed Frogmore Plantation. In 1990, he and
his wife Lynette built Tanner & Co. Gin, and later that year he won the Outstanding Ginner of
the Year award over the five midsouth states. The following year they partnered in the
construction and operation of Alabama Gin Company. Respected by his peers, he served as a
producer, ginner, and warehouse delegate to the National Cotton Council. He was selected as
the Outstanding Ginner of the United States in 1991 based on his increased production and
customer service at Tanner & Co and his local community involvement. He along with his loyal
staff insisted on having the most up-to-date and robust gin operation and strived for perfection
for his customers.
Buddy is survived by his wife, Lynette Ater Tanner, and their five children Dr. Virginia “Jennie”
Thurston, George Tanner, Jr. and girlfriend Brigit Persson, John Elliott Branton and wife Robin,
Donald Wayne Branton, and Lauren Tanner Stinson and her husband Doug. Buddy also had
ten grandchildren he loved dearly, Tate, Searcy, Quin, Harrison, and Suzannah Branton;
Conner and Abby Branton; and Ainsley, Tanner, and Hallie Stinson. He was preceded in death
by his parents, Olen and Elizabeth Clarke Tanner and many other beloved family members.
The family expresses with deepest appreciation their gratitude for the friendship, medical care,
and support of Dr. Andrew McWhorter.
Pallbearers will be Don Ater, Ed Ater, Conner Branton, Tate Branton, Claude Clarke, Lane
Clarke, Tom Clarke, and Pollard Thomas. Honorary Pallbearers are Wiliam David Clarke,
William Coleman, Fritz Martty, Tommy Martty, George Edward Thomas, and Mickey Thomas.
Memorial donations may be made to Louisiana Methodist Children and Family Service, 904 DeVille Lane, Ruston Louisiana, 71270, Phone 318-255-5020