Fred Lyle Tann

Born, February 11, 1929 in Flint, Michigan

Died, August 17, 2019 in Tomball, Texas

A Celebration of a Life Well Lived

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

Matthew 25:21

Fred directed these words to be written in his obituary about him:

" On August 17, 2019 Fred Tann passed away in Tomball, Tx. Fred was born February 11, 1929 in Flint, Michigan. In 1932, his family moved to Mississippi. He attended Forest Hill High School and participated in most sports, was co-captain of the football team and voted most athletic his senior year. He was involved in the Golden Gloves for several years, in the novice division and afterward in the open division. In college, he lettered in boxing, weightlifting and football. He was the 5th of 6 brothers to serve in the military. He was in the Marine Corp Reserve while in Junior College and then served in the Navy during the Korean War. He attended college at Hinds Junior College, Mississippi College and graduated from Mississippi State University.

He and Jewell moved to Texas in 1953, and he was a Certified Public Accountant, a lifetime member of the American Institute of CPA's and The Texas Society of CPA's, and a former member of the Houston Club. To all his bowling friends, he will have a lane reserved for them.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Jewell Tucker Tann, and children: Kenneth Tann of Spring, TX, Amanda White of Pinehurst, TX, Elizabeth Frisby of Bullard, TX, Warren Tann of Tomball, TX, and their spouses, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren."

The above is what Fred wrote himself, leaving only the specifics blank for those left behind to fill in. This speaks volumes as to how loving and caring a man my dad was because he did this to make his passing easier, in his mind; leaving one less thing for the family to worry about. That is the kind of man he was: always thinking of others, always trying to help, and never wanting to be a burden.

What his words do not relate is how this man was extraordinary and ever-so-special. He was born incredibly poor on the cusp of the Great Depression. He used to joke that his family moved every time "the rent was due" and moving was so customary that their chickens became trained to "flop on their backs and surrender their legs to be tied for easy transport!" However, he broke the cycle of poverty by working hard and working to become a CPA. He was an excellent provider.

He often said he never heard the word "love" in his childhood home and that he and his brothers and sister were all primarily left to "fend for themselves". He broke that cycle as well as he always told everyone in our family he loved them: both in words and in his actions. He would always do everything he could to make sure we were taken care of and safe. He broke the cycle of having a loveless childhood home by giving us a loving home and showing us the Greatest Love, the love of God, in the living flesh, through the way he lived his daily life. Dad never raised his voice, never cussed, never drank, never smoked and we never heard or saw him and mom fight; a feat of which not many in this world can boast. Even though he was a quiet man, his actions revealed more about God's love than any preacher ever could.

Every morning he and mom would pray for all of the family by name. This was always such a great comfort to us all. And when dad had become so weak as of late, he excitedly told me we were going to have a "little club": a prayer club in which we all prayed for each other daily. Even at his weakest, he was still thinking, and praying, for us all. He often quoted Romans 8:28 and said "everything is going to work out all right." He saw the best in all of us.

Dad often said he "wasn't the smartest in school"; but, you could always find him reading with a Bible close at hand, a Bible study aid, or some other inspirational piece such as Norman Vincent Peale's texts. He graduated from Mississippi State, passed the CPA exam and raised four kids with grace and kindness, and, in this day and age; I'd say that's genius.

Dad was a quiet man, humble and kind. During his high-school years he had movie-star good looks, and had earned the title of the "Big Man on Campus" and the "Most Athletic". When Jewell first knew of him, she thought he was conceited, but found out quickly, he was just very shy. Sixty-seven years of marriage has proven what a good match these two were for each other. We all thank him and mom for being such good examples.

Dad was extremely generous. Often, the recipients of his generosity never knew it was from him. Churches would receive generous gifts, young people would receive tuition funds, and others would receive help monetarily, never knowing from where the funds originated. Dad was not the type to ask for attention in that way. He was happy to help; saying things like "they need it more than me."

Dad frequently lamented that he "probably worked more than he should have" and he "should have taken more time with the family." This regret is unfounded. We have vibrant memories of colorful family vacations. These weren't flamboyant trips, but are precious to us and gave us a childhood rich in happy memories. Who can forget the family trip straight out of National Lampoon's Vacation , (yet 10 years before the movie came out), where our dog was accidentally tied to our moving car! (We realized the mistake long before any real damage was done; but, oh! The squeeling in the car!") We remember the windy Galveston beach trip where dad wrestled with the awning for hours until the wind won and he stored the brand-new awning under the car until we were ready to go, forgot about it and drove off, losing that awning!. We remember the long trips in the car to Mississippi in which many a backwoods play was produced by us kids, and directed by Kenneth, to the chagrin of our parents, or the time Warren filled up the back of the station wagon with water so that we could have a swimming pool (seemed like a great idea at the time!), or Amanda's ad nauseam "school" teaching to her coerced or cojouled "students", on our front porch for hours. Our dog, Poochie, was subject to many of my diaperings, powderings and strolls in the baby carriage (this was before he was drug behind the car!) We were privileged to attend many of the sporting events, rodeo events, fishing outings etc. that Houston has to offer with our dad. But, in this era of enabling children and "helicopter parents", dad had the wisdom to let us be kids and explore and do, allowing us the freedom to try, fail and fall.  We all knew Dad would always be there whenever we needed him; there was no question about that, ever .

These are just some of the things that made Fred Tann so wonderful. He instilled a heritage of generosity, devotion, kindness, dedication and hard work in all that knew him well. He will be greatly missed. Well done, Dad.

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ."

Colossians 3:23-24

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Proverbs 3: 5-6

"When he shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun."                                                                                                              William Shakespeare