Halworth Tanner Obituary

Halworth "Trent" Tanner, part-owner of Cortez Milling Company, died at his home in Cortez on Saturday, August 8, 2015. He succumbed to a sudden, massive heart attack. He was 75 years old.

Trent was born in Farmington, NM, July 18, 1940, to Halworth B Tanner and Carmen Cardon Tanner. He was raised in Cortez and Bayfield, CO. Trent attended elementary school in Cortez at the old Administration Building on 1st Street across from the post office. After the 6th grade, he moved with his parents to Bayfield, CO where his dad began working at the flour mill there.

Trent attended junior high and high school in Bayfield. He was active in sports and developed life-long friendships with classmates. He played and lettered in football and basketball. This was the beginning of his lifetime love of athletics. During these years, Trent developed type 1 diabetes. Sports fans would carry candy bars to the games in case he "ran out of sugar" and affectionately nicknamed him "sweet pea."

Trent graduated in 1958 with elected honors of "best looking," "most likely to succeed," and "Mr. Wolverine." That fall he began his college career at Brigham Young University. In 1960 he left for a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Trent was called to the Great Lakes Mission which included the states of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. During these two years, he grew in maturity and developed deepening love for his Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ. Upon completion of his mission, he returned to BYU to complete his Bachelor of Science degree in Communications and Public Relations.

While at BYU, Trent met a young co-ed, Ann Brunson, from Amarillo, TX. They dated, became engaged, and married March 3, 1964 in the Salt Lake City, UT temple. He graduated the summer of 1968 and interviewed for jobs in southern CA for a short period of time. He and Ann visited his parents for Christmas 1966. His dad had recently purchased Cortez Milling Company and persuaded Trent to enter into partnership with him. Trent, Ann, and Michael, their first son, moved to Cortez in 1967. Trent began his life-long career as a businessman and remained at the Mill the rest of his life.

Trent was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many capacities over the years. He found his passion and great fulfillment in serving others and magnifying the positions in the church to which he was called.

Trent most enjoyed being with his family, children, and grandchildren. He also loved extended family and friends. He and Ann have shared 51 years together and he will be missed more than can be imagined.

Trent is survived by his wife, Ann of Cortez; son, Michael of Cortez; daughter, Michelle and husband, Cory, son, Todd and wife, Nicole of St. George, UT; daughter, Cherie and husband, Brian of Washington, UT; son, Bret and wife, Elizabeth of Muscatine, IA; sister, Linda and husband, Ron of Mesa, AZ; brother, Gary and wife, Gwen of Cortez, and sister, Vicki and husband, John of St. George, UT; 18 adorable grandchildren and many loved nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Trent was preceded in death by his mother and father, mother and father-in-law, and brother, Leonard.

Visitation will be Friday August 14, 2015 at Ertel Funeral Home, 42 N. Market St., from 7-9 pm. The funeral will take place on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1700 E. Empire Street, at 10 am. Graveside services will be held immediately following the funeral at Cortez Cemetery, 27441 Highway 160.

For further information or to send condolences, log onto www.ertelfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Diabetes Association.