Obituaries
Harold Glen (Buz) Tanner
( October 20, 1946 - April 3, 2023 )
Mr. Harold (Buz) Glen Tanner of 6212 Gold Springs Way, Denver, North Carolina died April 3, 2023, at his home after a ten-year battle with multiple system atrophy (MSA). A celebration of his life will be held at Denver United Methodist Church on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., with the Reverend Steve Autrey officiating. Burial will take place at the church cemetery.
Buz Tanner was born October 20, 1946, in Owensboro, Kentucky to the late John C. Tanner and Elsie Tanner. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his siblings, Bill Tanner, Dalton Tanner, Kenneth Tanner, Ray Tanner, Elaine Tinsley, Wanda Parks, Jo Tanner, and Sue Tanner as well as two nieces Jody Hanson and Sherry Tanner.
He graduated from Livermore High School and the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy in Lexington, Kentucky. Buz served his country in the United States Army. Upon graduation from Basic Training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky he received four awards at the graduation ceremony which included the individual professional award being the second highest of 1074 men, an award for the battalion evacuation test, an award for sharp shooter on rifle range, and was selected from his battalion to compete for the American Spirit honor award. He was stationed in Texas and deployed overseas for thirteen months serving as a medic in the Army.
He returned to the United States in 1971 where he began his lengthy career in pharmacy. Buz worked for and owned drug stores in two states. He retired from Cramerton Drugs in Cramerton, North Carolina.
Buz enjoyed playing tennis, golf, basketball, racquetball, and pickleball. He played on a senior basketball team which was runner-up in the North Carolina Senior Olympics. He also played on various tennis teams that won at the state level. He was an avid snow and water skier and ran the Charlotte Marathon.
One of Buz’s greatest experiences was participating in the John Calipari Basketball Fantasy Experience. He lived his dream to experience life as a Kentucky Wildcat during the three-day event on the University of Kentucky campus. He played, trained, and practiced under the tutelage of current and former professional coaches. During the event tournament Buz scored points in Rupp Arena.
Buz was a member of Denver United Methodist Church where he taught the Upper Room Sunday School Class for thirty years. He also served on various church committees. He worked alongside wife Hettie with the church youth group for two years.
Buz is survived by his wife of 56 years, Hettie Hoover Tanner of the home; his son Shawn Tanner of Cornelius, North Carolina; and daughter Laurie Tanner Wieler (John) of Waxhaw, North Carolina; four granddaughters Hannah Wieler of Charlotte, North Carolina; Grace Wieler of Charlotte, NC; Carley Sheek of Beaufort, South Carolina; Riley Tanner of Cornelius, North Carolina; and one grandson Jack Tanner Wieler of Waxhaw, North Carolina. He is also survived by a sister-in-law Arleen Tanner of Denver, North Carolina; a beloved nephew Doug Tanner, as well as countless nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Denver United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 661, Denver North Carolina 28037 or to Hospice & Palliative Care of Lincoln County, 900 Dontia Drive, Lincolnton, North Carolina 28092.
Buz Tanner was born October 20, 1946, in Owensboro, Kentucky to the late John C. Tanner and Elsie Tanner. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his siblings, Bill Tanner, Dalton Tanner, Kenneth Tanner, Ray Tanner, Elaine Tinsley, Wanda Parks, Jo Tanner, and Sue Tanner as well as two nieces Jody Hanson and Sherry Tanner.
He graduated from Livermore High School and the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy in Lexington, Kentucky. Buz served his country in the United States Army. Upon graduation from Basic Training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky he received four awards at the graduation ceremony which included the individual professional award being the second highest of 1074 men, an award for the battalion evacuation test, an award for sharp shooter on rifle range, and was selected from his battalion to compete for the American Spirit honor award. He was stationed in Texas and deployed overseas for thirteen months serving as a medic in the Army.
He returned to the United States in 1971 where he began his lengthy career in pharmacy. Buz worked for and owned drug stores in two states. He retired from Cramerton Drugs in Cramerton, North Carolina.
Buz enjoyed playing tennis, golf, basketball, racquetball, and pickleball. He played on a senior basketball team which was runner-up in the North Carolina Senior Olympics. He also played on various tennis teams that won at the state level. He was an avid snow and water skier and ran the Charlotte Marathon.
One of Buz’s greatest experiences was participating in the John Calipari Basketball Fantasy Experience. He lived his dream to experience life as a Kentucky Wildcat during the three-day event on the University of Kentucky campus. He played, trained, and practiced under the tutelage of current and former professional coaches. During the event tournament Buz scored points in Rupp Arena.
Buz was a member of Denver United Methodist Church where he taught the Upper Room Sunday School Class for thirty years. He also served on various church committees. He worked alongside wife Hettie with the church youth group for two years.
Buz is survived by his wife of 56 years, Hettie Hoover Tanner of the home; his son Shawn Tanner of Cornelius, North Carolina; and daughter Laurie Tanner Wieler (John) of Waxhaw, North Carolina; four granddaughters Hannah Wieler of Charlotte, North Carolina; Grace Wieler of Charlotte, NC; Carley Sheek of Beaufort, South Carolina; Riley Tanner of Cornelius, North Carolina; and one grandson Jack Tanner Wieler of Waxhaw, North Carolina. He is also survived by a sister-in-law Arleen Tanner of Denver, North Carolina; a beloved nephew Doug Tanner, as well as countless nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Denver United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 661, Denver North Carolina 28037 or to Hospice & Palliative Care of Lincoln County, 900 Dontia Drive, Lincolnton, North Carolina 28092.
Posted on 03 Apr 2023
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125 Dave Warlick Drive
Lincolnton, NC 28092
704/735-2521