Ron Tankersley

1940 - 2023

Ronald Dillard Tankersley was born on Feb. 12, 1940, in Flora, Illinois to Velton Dillard Tankersley (Tank) and Syble LaVelle Harris Tankersley. When he was in the first grade, his dad transferred with the Pure Oil Company to the Van Oil Field. They lived in “the camp” which consisted of small houses on a beautiful golf course. His grandparents, Albert and Gladys Harris, lived next door.

In 1958, he graduated from Van High School. He received his business degree from East Texas State (now A&M). He served in the US Army and always had a flag flying. In high school, he was usually the leading actor in the school plays, loved the Vandal Band and was president his senior year. He performed with a group of three from the band, played basketball and his highlight was advancing to the State tennis tournament with his best friend, Robert Rhodes. As an adult, he played tournament tennis and traveled with his son several years to the U.S. Open in New York. His son and two grandsons shared his love for the game.

He began his career in wholesale building materials and ended with the purchase of the lumber yard in Van, Eastex Builders Supply. While working in the lumber yard, he became a real estate agent, certified real estate appraiser, and locksmith. For fun, he square danced, became a certified scuba diver, loved coin collecting and was a good cook.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Velton (Tank) and LaVelle Tankersley, his grandparents, Albert and Gladys Harris and Daniel and Mamie Fisher Tankersley.

He is survived by his wife, Victoria Duggan Tankersley, daughter; Robin Kelly and husband, Hal; son, Velton Duggan (Dugg) Tankersley and wife, Melissa; Grandsons Brandon Newman, Jamesson Tankersley and Finnegan Tankersley and granddaughter, Victoria Rose Adamo-Tankersley and husband, Jacob, and very special friends Dian Fife and Richard Marshall, and his little dog, Jack.

A celebration of life was held Saturday, Jan. 6, 2023 at Hilliard Funeral Home.