Richard Larry "Gran-paw Tater" Tanner, age 64, of White Plains, Ga., passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2014. Richard was born in Buckhead, Ga., on Dec. 6, 1949. He was the oldest of nine children born to the late Gordon Arlin Tanner and Ina Ellen Burchard Tanner. He was a 1968 graduate of Newton County High School and married Carolyn Ann Mentel on Oct. 24, 1970.

He held various jobs after graduation from high school before beginning his career in the snack food industry with Golden Flake, where he worked for eight years. He then went to work for Frito Lay Inc., from which he retired in October 2007 as a District Sales Manager after 28 years of service. They moved from Covington to White Plains in June of 1993. He was a faithful member of Mt. Stephens Baptist Church for many years, where he taught Sunday School and served on various committees.

As a young man, he enjoyed softball with his friends on the Almon Gullystompers travel team. He was a man of many talents writing poetry, doing woodwork and carpentry. He built many birdhouses, and swings for family and friends. He enjoyed being outdoors fishing, hunting, riding the tractor and gardening, but spending time with his family was what he enjoyed most.

Richard is survived by his wife, Carolyn Tanner of White Plains; son, Richard A. Tanner (Sabrina) of White Plains; daughter, Debbie O’Hanlon (Patrick) of White Plains; granddaughter, Anna Rose "French Fry" O’Hanlon; sisters, Ellen Harville (Mark) of Newborn and Martha Bouts (Daryl) of Social Circle; brothers, Jimmy Tanner (Saba), Glen Tanner (Mim), Darrell Tanner (Cathy), all of Covington, and David Tanner (Karen) of Cleveland, Ohio; brother-in-law, John Mentel (Mary Ann) of Summerville, S.C.; sisters-in-law, Fran Butler of Dacula, Ga., and Pat McPhee (Bob) of Humble, Texas; and a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and twin siblings who died at birth.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Feb. 17 at Mt. Stephens Baptist Church, Edwards Road, White Plains, with the Revs. Eugene Bess and Dennis Garner officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers are Richard A. Tanner, Patrick O’Hanlon III, Darrell Tanner, Jimmy Tanner, Glen Tanner, Charlie Cook III, Donnie Wheeler and Donald Clements. The family will receive friends Sunday from 5-7 p.m. at McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, Ga.

Memorial donations may be made to Mt. Stephens Baptist Church. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.