So long, and thanks for feeding the cat

Today, I was notified of the death of a neighbor in my old neighborhood.

From the Daily Herald:

John Paul Tanner

John Paul

Tanner

1942 ~ 2010

John Paul Tanner, age 67, passed away April 23, 2010, following complications with heart surgery. He was born in Reno, Nevada July 28, 1942 to Leroy Mack and Betty Tanner, and was primarily raised in Boise, Idaho. John served a mission for the LDS Church in Mexico. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master's Degree in Engineering Administration from the University of Utah. He had a passion for computers and worked in hospital Information Systems Administration. His rewarding career resulted in several moves and different residences across the country. These led to treasured associations with many dear friends. John's priorities were his faith and his family. He was a strong and gentle man. He was very kind. He led and taught by example. John had a wonderful sense of humor and excelled at seeing the positive in people. His greatest success in life was that of husband and father. He is loved dearly by his family. His ultimate joy and interest in life was his children and grandchildren. John is survived by his wife and best friend, Sandy Tanner, his five children: Mark (Jody) Tanner, Janine (John) Sirrine, Matt (Deanne) Tanner, Alison Tanner, Andrew (Keishah) Tanner, his 15 grandchildren, mother Betty Tanner, brother Jim (Kay) Tanner and sisters Nancy (Paul) Taylor, Becky (Steve) Beus, and Jerry (Vernon) Christopherson. He was preceded in death by his father Mack Tanner. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, April 28 at the Sharon Park 3rd Ward chapel, located at 225E 200N in Orem, Utah. Family and friends may call on the family Tuesday evening, April 27 from 6:00-8:00pm at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, and Wednesday morning at the church from 10:00-10:45am prior to the services.

John Tanner moved into the condo next to ours within the last year I lived in that part of town, through 2004.

Around the same time, we acquired our cat, Boo - a black Bombay cat we found as a stray near where my daughter was attending preschool.  Boo was always freindly with anyone who'd pet or even feed him.  He'd spend all day making friends with the elderly neighbors in the condos, but a few times he'd go missing for a couple days and show up hungry.  We never knew where he was going, until we talked to John one day.

Turns out, John and his wife though Boo was a stray.  One day he walked into their condo like he owned the place, meowing for food and attention.  They kept him in case someone came around looking for him.  A few days later, he got out and went missing.

I don't remember how we found out what happened, but I seem to remember them asking about a black cat because they were missing one, and we asked them if he had a particular collar on.  That's when we realized he'd been living at two houses.

Years after moving, I'd see John from time to time.  He was a client of my company, and I'd always come say hello to him.  We'd reminisce about the cat and his antics.  We'd catch up on the neighbors (they were still ward members when I left that neighborhood).  I never indicated to him that I'd left the church, even when he'd talk about church from time to time.  For the small part he played in my life, I was grateful to have a friendly neighbor who was always nice to me.

My heart goes out to his family.  He was very loving, and I'm sure there's a huge gap in their hearts right now.

In my own way, I know that he's still with us.  I may not believe in religion or a god, but I do believe that we are as much a part of this universe as each and every atom in our body is.  We are made of the same bits as everything else, and whatever it is that makes us alive continues for eons.  John has returned to his origins.

Thank you, John Tanner, for feeding my cat.