Dorothy Lucille "Dot" Walker Tanner

Dorothy Lucille “Dot” Walker Tanner, a resident of Fallbrook for 61 years, passed away February 18, 2009. Born at Miami, AZ, on February 13, 1921, the daughter of Thomas and Vivian Walker, Dot started school in Globe, AZ, and later attended Phoenix High School. She transferred to San Juan Capistrano High School, CA, her senior year (class of 1938). That year she served as Miss Orange County and was named queen of the newly completed US Highway 101. Following graduation, she attended Santa Ana Junior College before transferring to Pomona College in Claremont.

On September 5, 1942, Dot married her college sweetheart, Lt. John D. “Jack” Tanner (USMC), at Washington, DC. Following the war, they settled in Fallbrook, where they raised avocados and lemons. The Tanners shortly joined the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce and, in 2006, Dot was honored as the first member to surpass a 50-year membership.

In 1957, the Tanners established the Village Stationers, a fixture of downtown Fallbrook for the next 36 years. Active in community affairs, Dot worked with the Cub Scouts and Bluebirds, was a founder of and coached the Fallbrook Swim Club and assisted with the coaching duties of the Fallbrook High School swim team in 1960. With her husband Jack, she was honored with the 1962-63 “Athletic Booster Award” by the Letterman’s Club, and the two also helped to found the Fallbrook Boys & Girls Club and the Fallbrook Little League.

Preceded in death by Jack in 2004 following 63 years of marriage, Dot is survived by son and daughter-in-law John and Karen Tanner of Fallbrook, daughter and son-in-law Robert and Susan Tanner Winn of Carmel Valley, six grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.

Services are scheduled on Friday, February 27, at 1 p.m. at Berry-Bell & Hall Fallbrook Mortuary followed by burial at Fallbrook Masonic Cemetery.