Virgil Johnnie Tanner of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Friday evening, May 6, 2011, in the Bass Integris Medical Center, Enid, Oklahoma, at the age of 58 years.

Virgil Johnnie Tanner was born on April 27, 1953, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, to Virgil and Dorothy (Huston) Tanner. He attended grade school in Peckham and graduated from Newkirk High School in 1971. Johnnie also received a degree from Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, and Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma. He hauled hay when he attended college and enjoyed hunting sports. Johnnie married Janice Dale Byrd on February 8, 1976, and she preceded him in death on July 25, 1978. He was willing to help anyone at anytime and enjoyed helping the senior citizens at the Urban Village.

Johnnie is survived by his parents, Virgil and Dorothy Tanner, of Newkirk, Oklahoma; one daughter, Kristi Smithen, of Blackwell, Oklahoma; one sister, Valarie Ross, and her husband Rodney, of Stillwater, Oklahoma; one niece, Anna Ross, of Stillwater, Oklahoma; and two nephews, Rodney Ross, Jr. and Austin Ross of Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Virgil is preceded in death by wife; and one brother, Victor Eugene Tanner.

Memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at the Roberts and Son Funeral Chapel, Blackwell, Oklahoma, with James W. Roberts officiating. Burial will follow at the Blackwell Cemetery, Blackwell, Oklahoma.

Memorials can be made to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation - Cancer Fund, 825 N.E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104.