Raymond "Ray" Tanner

Obituary: "Raymond (Ray) Tanner, 55, a resident of Gooding, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Gooding on September 3, 2011.

Ray was born on January 28, 1956, in Yerington, Nevada to Alma Merl and Sybil Matheson Tanner. He grew up in the mining community of Weed Heights, Nevada and attended local schools in Yerington, graduating from Yerington High School in 1974. He attended the University of Nevada Reno, graduating in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology.

He was employed for 5 years as a laboratory technologist by the Twin Falls County Hospital in Twin Falls, Idaho, now known as St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center. In 1984 he was hired as the only lab technologist at the then Gooding County Memorial Hospital, where he remained for over 27 years. At the time of his death, he was the Laboratory Director at the renamed North Canyon Medical Center.

Ray married his eternal sweetheart, Rebecca (Becky) Bacrellos on February 24, 1979 in Hawthorne, Nevada. Their marriage was later solemnized on October 10, 1980 in the Salt Lake Temple. Ray cherished his sweet wife, and will always be deeply in love with her. Ray and Becky were blessed with their beautiful daughter, Jennifer Rae Tanner in 1985. Jennifer (Jen) was and is the apple of her daddy's eye, and always will be. He loved his Jennifer with all his heart, and she will always be daddy's little girl.

Ray is survived by his wife of 32 years, Becky Tanner of Gooding, daughter Jennifer Rae Tanner of Twin Falls, mother Sybil Matheson Tanner of Yerington, Nevada, brother Gregg (Joanne) Tanner of Fallon, Nevada, sister Katherine (Robert) Arigoni of Yerington, Nevada, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and his loving cat, Max.

Ray was preceded in death by his father, Alma Merl Tanner.

Ray was a devoted family man. He was always intent on helping others in their time of need. He also received numerous awards related to his dedicated employment at the medical center. He was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Gooding Lions Club. As a young man he enjoyed hunting and fishing.

In later years, he was an avid sports spectator who especially enjoyed football. GO BSU!! Ray's love of baseball was inspired by Jennifer, and the family enjoyed watching and attending Atlanta Braves games. He was also an accomplished photographer.

Ray loved his ward family and serving his Father in Heaven, as well as his devoted laboratory staff and fellow employees at North Canyon Medical Center.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, on Thursday, September 8, 2011 at Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, on Friday, September 9, 2011 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Gooding, with visitation held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Ray's name be made to the North Canyon Medical Center Foundation; the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; or a charity of choice.

Ray was a generous and loving husband, father, son, brother and friend who will be missed by all who knew him.

Arrangements are under the direction of Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel."

Parents:

 Alma Merl Tanner (1916 - 2005)

 Sybil Matheson Tanner (1926 - 2012)

Burial: Elmwood Cemetery Gooding Gooding County Idaho, USA

Created by: Barb Record added: Sep 03, 2011 Find A Grave Memorial# 75898004