Allen Harold Tanner

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“A Gentle Man”

On April 9, 2020, just 3 days after celebrating his 94th birthday, our beloved Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather, Uncle, and Friend left his earthly home to be reunited with his eternal sweetheart and companion, Raeola.

Born on April 6, 1926 in Murray, Utah, Allen Tanner was the only child born to Vera Kate Allen (Strong) and Harold Knudsen Tanner.

From an early age Allen was very studious, hard-working, and self-motivated, earning his first of many awards in 1st grade for his perfect attendance. He was also a master handyman, learning various trades such as vehicle maintenance, wood working, drafting, surveying, architecture, and such. Before World War II, Allen was a draftsman for Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah, which began a lifelong career in the drafting industry.

Allen enlisted in the Navy at age 17 to avoid being drafted into the Army and risk being on the front line of battle. He was assigned to the aircraft carrier Rudyerd Bay, working the radar. He learned to write backwards so he could communicate coordinates from his side of a see-through plastic sheet to his superiors on the other side and saved numerous lost pilots by using his radar skills to direct them back to the aircraft carrier. After the war ended, Allen worked on the Parleys Canyon road project as a surveyor.

Allen met the love of his life, Raeola, at Mt. Fuel Supply Company where they both worked. They married on September 23, 1949 and were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple together with their daughters, Linda and Alana, by President N. Eldon Tanner. While Allen was the architectural design manager at Mt. Fuel, the company had a contest for the design of a new logo. Feeling that as the manager he should probably submit something, it was a last-minute decision that he submitted a drawing. His logo won and was used by the company for many years.

While working, raising a family, and building a house, Allen took a correspondence course in architecture from ICC of Chicago. The school was so impressed with his high marks, dedication, and determination that the president of the school personally came to Utah to meet Allen and give him his degree and award.

Allen has always had a love for his country and the American flag. For 30 years Allen has raised and lowered the American flag at his condominium complex. On Veterans Day 2019 Allen was featured on the front page of the Salt Lake Tribune newspaper. It was a very fitting tribute to the wonderful and dedicated man that Allen was.

Together with Raeola they did many needlepoint and counted cross-stitch projects. They loved working on projects together. They were rarely apart in their 66 ½ years of marriage.

Allen was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many callings, including scouting, Elders Quorum Secretary, and Ward Financial Clerk. He also served a mission with Raeola in the later years at the newly-constructed Conference Center in Salt Lake City.

Allen is survived by his daughters, Linda Romney (Don) and Alana Hill; sister-in-law, Camille Bradley (Keith); his grandchildren, Shanna Barga (JJ) and Michael Romney (Christina); his great-grandchildren: Madison, Emma, Miles, and Charlotte Romney and Evan and Macy Barga; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be private by invitation only at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home. The family asks that all others please remain safe at home and invite you to watch his service live by visiting www.jenkins-soffe.com. The webcasting of his service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2020.