Michael Spencer Tanner
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Michael Spencer Tanner, born in Rutherfordton March 27, 1935, died at his home August 15, 2021. He attended RS Central High School and the Asheville School, and graduated from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill as a Morehead Scholar. He later received a Master of Liberal Arts from the University of North Carolina Asheville. He served two years in the Marines. He retired as president of Doncaster Dress Company after more than three decades at the family business, where he found his greatest joy working alongside his brothers and coworkers. Some of his proudest achievements came while serving multiple terms on the Rutherford County School Board during a period of intense infrastructural renewal and as a reading mentor in the elementary and middle schools. He was also deeply involved with the Southmountain Children's Home, Hospice of Rutherford County, Foothills Conservancy of NC, and Rutherford County Foundation, among many other local organizations. He was proceeded in death by his mother Mildred Miller Tanner, his father Simpson Bobo Tanner II, his sister Katherine Pocock, brothers S. Bobo Tanner III, James Townsend Tanner, and daughter Rosalyn Tanner Orr. He is survived by his wife Lynne Santy Tanner, son Michael Spencer Tanner, daughter Coleman Tanner, grandchildren D. Frasier Orr III, and Michael Spencer Orr. His friends and family will remember him for a commitment the community rivaled only by his commitment to achieve the perfect game of golf. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Southmountain Children's Home, Hospice of Rutherford County, or Foothills Conservancy of NC.