David Sherman Tannehill

David Sherman Tannehill measured the quality of his life by the amount of love, beauty and support surrounding him which started the day he was born in Redding, California on February 12, 1942 until he took his last peaceful breath at home in Rupert, Idaho on February 23, 2020.  He was the oldest child and only living son of Sherman Milo and Grace Wrigley Tannehill who was then joined by and challenged with growing up with four younger sisters. Even the herd of cows and his dog, Molly, were all girls! He finally peaked out at a lanky 6'3" and enjoyed taunting friends and family with his colorful hats and t-shirts. Expressing his particular viewpoints on just about every subject.  With 78 years ahead of him, David wasted no time experiencing all life had to offer. 

His family moved to Burley, Idaho when David was in high school surrounded by the extensive Wrigley family scattered around the county.  Here he gained life-long close friends who managed to skirt around little mischievous antics that only their combined unique sense of humors could create! 

David went to work for Gunderson Machine Co. learning to be a lathe operator, then Hogan's Leather and Canvas, followed by a job at the Wendell Sawmill pulling green chain. He found himself enlisting in the U.S. Navy where he would serve our country as a firefighter and tug driver directing planes as they landed on the deck of the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt carrier. Based out of Key West, Florida, David was privileged to travel extensively all around the world. After 3 years, 11 months and 28 days, he was honorably discharged with the rank of E3. However, later in life, no amount of coaxing could entice him to go with friends and family on a vacation cruise as he felt he'd experienced enough time on the water.

While still in the Navy, David's father suddenly passed away of a massive heart attack while hunting on Black Pine. Red Cross arranged for him to come home for the funeral.  His mother eventually moved to Ogden, Utah. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Ogden and went to work for Jetway (later becoming FMC) as a lathe operator and retired from there after 20 years.  He also worked for the Ogden Park and Recreation Department part time and developed a real passion for cooking as he served as the chef for the Ogden Eagles Organization.

In 1969 in Ogden, David met and married Judy Perkins and with that marriage the family expanded with Chris, Guy and Tracy. Who, with their guidance, grew into three successful and productive individuals. He was the disciplinarian. Once he spanked Tracy and he cried harder than she did.  Punishment for the boys included taking their projects and tools away, clearing the back yard, and one time having to break up the concrete in a driveway. David was usually the family barber and shaved/buzzed their hair for the summer. David grew his mustache and beard for a long time and shaved them once when Tracy was born and left it shaved for a while. However, this scared Guy as he had never seen him clean-shaved. He never shaved them off again until Tracy's graduation. He did have fun, because no one recognized him without it! In time, they in turn enlarged the family with five awesome grandchildren where he lovingly included Judy, the kids, and grandkids in his adventure.

In 2001 David and Judy moved to Medford, Oregon where Judy's job with the IRS had an opening and it would move them closer to David's mom. David worked seasonally for the Medford Park and Recreation Department in maintenance. They really liked Medford but decided it was too expensive to live there in retirement. So, in 2011, they moved back home to Burley/Rupert, Id. In the fall months, David drove farm truck during harvest time for the Searle family. Besides his love of cooking, David and Judy liked to attend yard sales and auctions, always looking for that "great bargain". He enjoyed woodworking and always was looking for a shop to hold all his expanding special "tools." In their last move, David was excited to find two shops right next to the house, but they required most of his time just to fix them up. Which he was still working on. But then, David always had some kind of remodeling project going on in every house they ever lived in.

David was preceded in death by his grandmother, Althea Wrigley, new-born brother George, both parents and his sisters, Kathryn Tannehill Ritchie, and Sharon Tannehill Hansen.

Missing him besides his wife, Judy Tannehill, are his children, Chris David Tannehill  of Medford, Oregon, Guy Tannehill of Rupert, Idaho, and Tracy Hopkin of Ogden, Utah. His step-daughter, Robin Kelly Hughes Delarosa (Ruben), of Spokane, Washington, and step-son Kelly Daynan Hughes of Ogden, Utah;  grandkids, Stetler Hopkin of Bairoil, Wyoming, and Millie Hopkin Plush (Sam) of Riverton, Wyoming,  Grace Hopkin of Ogden, Utah,  Cori Conkel of Ogden, Utah, and Cody Kirkland. His siblings, Kay Jackson of Dallas, Oregon, and Frances Burger (Charlie) of Florida, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and maybe most important, his dog, Molly, who actually ruled the house!

Family will receive friends between 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at the Morrison Payne Funeral Home, 321 East Main Street, Burley, Idaho. A Life Celebration will be held at the View Cemetery 550 South 500 East, Burley, Idaho. Graveside Service will be held 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2020 with  Military Rites performed by Mini-Cassia Veterans. Services are under the direction of Morrison Payne Funeral Home.

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