Download the Remembrance Book (PDF) - The National Fallen ...

Remembering
Garry Tanner
Pleasantville Volunteer Fire Department — Tennessee
Classification: Volunteer
Rank: Assistant Chief
Date of Death: April 19, 2006
Age: 57
Garry was a loving, devoted dad to his
three children. He had two grown
daughters, Christine and Connie,
and a thirteen-year-old son,
Travis. He also had three grandchildren:
Robbie, Hollie, and
Sarah. They all were his pride
and joy. Garry loved all
children; they all touched a
special place in his heart.
Garry loved spending time
with his family, having big
cookouts. Thanksgiving
and Christmas dinners
were always special to
him, because he was with
his family. Christmas was
one of his favorite times
of the year. Garry, along
with his wife, Debra, owned
and operated a country store
and restaurant in Pleasantville,
Tennessee, a small, close-knit
community full of family and friends.
Garry was also running for election as
a county commissioner. When there was a
need in the community, they would try to help—
gifts for kids at Christmas, wood for winter heat,
groceries, food for people that could not get out,
just to name a few. Most people did not know this
until Garry had passed away. That is why it is not
surprising that, when a call went out in the community
that a small boy was missing, Garry and his
wife answered the call for help. Along with family,
friends, neighbors, rescue squad, and more, they
went to a field along a creek where the little boy
had wandered away. He was finally found in
the creek, but it was too late for Duncan.
The next day, people started to talk
about what they could do to help
each other. If they had been
trained, could it have made
a difference for one little
boy? That was the question
asked. Finally the
Pleasantville Volunteers
was formed — neighbor
helping neighbor.
Training began — CPR,
search and rescue, and
more. After a few years,
Pleasantville Volunteer
Fire Department was
formed, and fire training
began. Garry was the
Assistant Fire Chief.
Garry and Debra’s little market
became the dispatch center.
On April 19, 2006, a call came in
about a fire. Garry left and said, “I
am out of here. Call the rest of them.” It
was a dryer on fire in a trailer. They got the
dryer out, and the trailer saved. Garry said, “We did
a good deed today.” On the way back from the fire,
the brakes on the truck went out. He made the decision
to take the truck, which he loved, into a chert
pit, so no one else would get hurt. That is the kind
of person he was. Garry died doing what he loved
and believed in.
John 15:13: “Greater love hath no one than this; that
he lay down his life for his friends.”