Sonny Tanksley

Benjamin "Sonny" Tanksley Jr., 68, of Poplar Bluff, MO passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack on November 04, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Sonny was born on August 20, 1952 to the late Benjamin and Lottie (Watson) Tanksley in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.  He married his beloved wife Angela "Angie" Tanksley on July 27, 1986 in Clarkton, MO.

Sonny was born, grew up, graduated, worked his entire career and raised children in Poplar Bluff. Sonny had a long and successful 41 year career; working most all of them for the city of Poplar Bluff.  He started as dog catcher, moved up to police officer, then mechanic for the city.  Sonny is who got the Motor Pool for the city started.  He retired as the Motor Pool Supervisor.  He was well known and respected throughout the trades for his work ethic skills. He was a talented and successful mechanic.  He was a lifelong musician and singer for his band called “The Square One Band”. He also did sound for many festivals, weddings, birthdays, car shows and many other events throughout the years. He enjoyed rebuilding classic cars and entering those cars into multiple cars shows, where he usually won first or Best in Show. However, his truly best times were spent with all his family, friends, and beloved animals.  

Sonny is survived by his wife, Angela Tanksley, his children, Melissa Mathis, Michelle Root, Dustin Tanksley, and Venessa Tanksley, his grandchildren, Myles, Madison, McKenzie and Mason Mathis, Jordan McIntosh, Jason Root Jr., Sarah, Autumn, Leland, Emma Tanksley and Halie Tanksley; nine great-grandchildren, sisters, Stella Tanksley and Joyce Granger, two adopted sisters and four adopted brothers, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Lottie Tanksley, his adoptive parents, Gilbert and Opal Browning, six grandparents, four grandchildren, one sister, Benita Wilson, father-in-law Claude Hicks, son-in-laws, Matt Mathis and Jason Root and  five brothers-in-laws

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 7th, 2020 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff, MO.

Funeral services will be on Sunday, November 8th, 2020 at 1:00 PM in the Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home with Rev. Shelvie Stephens officiating.  There will be a procession leaving the funeral home by 2 pm to Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton, Mo, where Pastor Greg Mullins will officiate.  

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