Obituary: Jerome Cox-Tanner

Jerome Cox-Tanner was born on May 26, 1945 to Willie Tanner and Charlene Cox-Tanner.

He grew up with seeing everyone for who they were, enjoying every moment of life.

He lived, laughed, loved and cried all the emotions, good or bad that life brings upon you throughout the years. Life has its challenges and he overcame them.

Remember Jerome for all the things he accomplished such as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, nephew, cousin, brother and friend who loved everyone. A man who accomplished not only being one of the first African American Locomotive Engineers for Union Pacific Railroad, Southern Pacific Railroad, Amtrak Locomotive Engineer, a Member of OFDA, Millenium 2000 Group who brought Activist Dick Gregory to Portland, Oregon three times but in the end dedicated his life to operating Cox & Cox Funeral Chapel, the legacy of the founder Arthur A. Cox, Sr., his grandfather.

He peacefully transitioned to eternal life to be with his parents and others who went before him.

Jerome is survived by his wife of over 20 years: Schawna Tanner; children: Yolanda Tanner (Gregory Bonnell), Kevin Tanner (Angela), Shellene Tanner - Young (James) and Rashad Tanner; grandchildren: Necia Cage (Dupree Pankey), A’charii Bonnell, Alexis, Aspyn and Kylea Tanner, Samiyah, Semaj and Marlee-Rae Young; great grandchildren: Dupree Jr. and Braylen Pankey, Karsyn and Jaidyn Rice; and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

He will be missed dearly by family, friends and the community.

Services will be held on May 4, 2021, at 10 a.m. at Vancouver Avenue 1st Baptist Church, 3138 N. Vancouver Avenue, Portland, Ore.

Services entrusted to Cornerstone Funeral Home, (503) 637-5020.

Read The Skanner's 2008 story about Jerome and Schawna Cox-Tanner: Honoring a Family that Honors the Dead -- Every Day