Herbert Wayner Tankersley, 83 of Pensacola passed away on Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Mr. Tankersley was born John Kirkham Garner, Jr. in Cordell, OK on February 14, 1929 to John Kirkham Garner and Myrtle Nix Garner. After the death of his mother he was adopted by Amedeo Umberto and Viola Dawson Ferretti, and later in 1946 by Lawrence Russell Tankersley. In 1946, he also joined the Army where he served in Germany, Japan and Korea. Among some of his awards and medals that he received was the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Korean Service Badge, Glider Badge and Paratrooper Badge. A talented musician himself, and inspired by his step-father Sgt Major Tankersley an Army Band Conductor, Herb played trumpet in the Army Band, and later learned to play the bagpipes, and was a Pipe Major in the Army Band. After his discharge in 1967 he was a Sales Manager for Dixon Paper Company, sold real estate and went to barber school and had his own barber shop. He was also a hypnotherapist and judged Fencing Competitions. In 1987, he moved to Pensacola where he was a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol and became an usher for the Saenger Theatre and served as Upstairs Supervisor for several years. He married Laurie Flynn in 1992 in Gadsden Street United Methodist Church where they both sang in the choir. In 1995 Tank joined the McGuires Pipe Band as a Piper. In 2000, he joined the Pensacola Opera Chorus where he performed in over 20 operas his favorite Aida. He also sang in the Gulf Coast Chorale. He will be greatly missed in the Arts Community where he has been affectionately known as Tank by the Pipe Band, Cranky Tanky by the Opera Chorus and Our Favorite Curmudgeon by the choir. His mischievous sense of humor and beautiful tenor voice will be greatly missed. Mr. Tankersley was preceded in death by his birth and adoptive parents and sisters Nadine and Ione. Survivors include his wife, Laurie Flynn Tankersley; sons, John Tankersley (Patsy) of Montrose, CO, Mike Tankersley of South Park, CO, and their mother Mary Cusack Tankersley of Aurora, CO; grandson, Robert Tankersley (Trish) of Aurora, CO; brother, James Garner (Verna) of Sun City West, AZ. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Gadsden Street United Methodist Church, with Rev. Bobby Ellisor officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Gadsden Street United Methodist Church, Building Fund, 901 E. Gadsden St., Pensacola, FL 32501. The family would like to express a very special thanks to all the wonderful friends who have been so supportive during this difficult time. HARPER-MORRIS MEMORIAL CHAPEL is in charge of arrangements.