John Jason Tankersley

John J. Tankersley, 78, of Grand Forks, passed away Monday, September 19, 2016 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks. John was born June 24, 1938, the son of John Lincoln & Inez (Massie) Tankersley in Moline, IL.  He attended schools in Winchester & Kewanee, IL and received his GED in Rockford, IL. He enlisted in the USAF at 17 years old, when the Air Force was in infancy; they wore Army fatigues & Air Force blue dress uniforms.   He was stationed at Barksdale Air Base in LA & Ben Guerir Air Base in Morocco. John attended college at Southern Illinois University, Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and University of North Dakota, graduating in 1977 with a BA in Visual Arts & Industrial Technology. He met Karen Morrison in Rockford, IL, and they were married in Crookston, MN on August 28, 1965.  They lived in Rockford, IL, Lacrosse, WI and Chicago, IL before moving to the Grand Forks area in 1973. John worked as an auto mechanic, commercial artist, owner of a foreign car repair business, owner of the Pistolsmith Gun Shop in Grand Forks, auto salesman, insurance salesman, and for 26 years as a self-employed mechanical warranty inspector.  His jobs often revolved around cars.  His pride & joy was his 1985 red Pontiac Fierro. John was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease in 1972 and was a 44 year cancer survivor. He and Karen loved to travel, usually by car, and later in the motor home, most often in the western USA. John was a member of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Grand Forks and had served as a deacon in Faith Presbyterian Church in Chicago.  He was also a member of the Malta Masonic Lodge #131, Scottish Rite, Kem Shrine and the Order of the Eastern Star Acacia Chapter #12, serving as Worthy Patron twice, all of Grand Forks.  He was also a member of Crookston Chapter #137. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Karen; brother-in-law, Michael & Sunshine Morrison of Anchorage, AK; sister-in-law, Patricia Morrison of Walnut Creek, CA; nephew & nieces and their children, Scott & Meagan Morrison, Luke, Brett & Hallie; Jennifer & Carl Rogers, Joseph & Alexa; Kristin Harris & Matt Holman; Heather & Brett Bridgeman, Nash & Jordyne; and Jennifer Porter. John was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law, Myrtle, father-in-law, Maynard Morrison; sister-in-law, Michelle and brother-in-law, Robert Harris. Memorial Service: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, September 24, 2016 at 1st Presbyterian Church 5555 S. Washington St. in Grand Forks. Visitation: 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a 7p.m. prayer service followed by a Masonic & Order of Eastern Star service on Friday, Sept. 23 at Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks.  Visitation will continue the hour prior to the service in the church. Inurnment: Memorial Park North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.