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TANNER JOE MEYER, SR In the early morning of Wednesday, November 25, 2015, surrounded by his family, Joe passed peacefully in his Kailua home. Tanner Joe Meyer Sr. was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on November 2, 1939 to Lola and Leslie Meyer. Raised in Kapahulu, Hawaii with his siblings Marcia, Leslie "Ben", Mike, and William. Waikiki beach was their playground; Joe spent his early years surfing and followed his siblings Marcia and Ben to Waikiki Surf Club where he started a successful paddling career. Joe paddled for several clubs before retiring from paddling in his twenties, including Waikiki Surf Club, Kai Oni Canoe Club, Healani Canoe Club, and Hui Kalia Canoe Club. At 19 years old, he was invited by Edward "Toots" Minvielle to join the inaugural crossing at Catalina Island. Paddling in the historic koa canoe, the "Malia", the Hawaii crew won the race by 11 minutes. Joe graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1958 as a three sport athlete including football, basketball, and track. Coached by Tiki Vasconcellos, he was a part of Roosevelt's three ILH State Championship seasons, playing both offense and defense positions. He played as a tight end for the semi-pro football team, the Tantalus Rangers, for a few years following his success in high school. In 1959 he was named head coach of the Kailua Mustangs Pop Warner team and continued coaching until 1976. During that special time, Joe served hundreds of youth from the Kailua and Waimanalo communities and enjoyed sharing his love for football and youth athletic achievement alongside his coaching staff and the many supportive boosters. According to Kailua Mustang alumni, David Lundquist, he and Randy Parker were chosen by Joe to be water boys for the Tantalus Rangers and enjoyed seeing their coach score touchdowns every game. In the late 1970's, following his success with Kailua Mustangs, Joe coached as an assistant for Punahou's JV and Varsity teams until his son graduated from the school in 1981. Joe joined the Honolulu Fire Department in July 1964 and retired after 30 years in September 1994. He was stationed at Kailua Fire Station from the 1970's through his retirement and was able to coach the Kailua Mustang Pop Warner team at the park behind the station. He spent several of his "retirement" years working for Hardware Hawaii and enjoyed meeting and talking to Kailua residents or visitors that came through the store. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Marielena, his daughter Mari-Jo (Don), his son Tanner Joe "Joey" (Piilani); grandchildren Tanner "TJ" (Dani), Chelsea "Kehau", Courtney, Aaron, Chaena (Layne), Emily, Alii, Kalani, and Nui; and seven great-grandchildren. Services will be held on January 16, 2016 at Borthwick Mortuary at 4:30pm. The family will hold a scattering on Sunday morning at Kailua Beach.
TANNER JOE MEYER, SR In the early morning of Wednesday, November 25, 2015, surrounded by his family, Joe passed peacefully in his Kailua home. Tanner Joe Meyer Sr. was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on November 2, 1939 to Lola and Leslie Meyer. Raised in Kapahulu, Hawaii with his siblings Marcia, Leslie "Ben", Mike, and William. Waikiki beach was their playground; Joe spent his early years surfing and followed his siblings Marcia and Ben to Waikiki Surf Club where he started a successful paddling career. Joe paddled for several clubs before retiring from paddling in his twenties, including Waikiki Surf Club, Kai Oni Canoe Club, Healani Canoe Club, and Hui Kalia Canoe Club. At 19 years old, he was invited by Edward "Toots" Minvielle to join the inaugural crossing at Catalina Island. Paddling in the historic koa canoe, the "Malia", the Hawaii crew won the race by 11 minutes. Joe graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1958 as a three sport athlete including football, basketball, and track. Coached by Tiki Vasconcellos, he was a part of Roosevelt's three ILH State Championship seasons, playing both offense and defense positions. He played as a tight end for the semi-pro football team, the Tantalus Rangers, for a few years following his success in high school. In 1959 he was named head coach of the Kailua Mustangs Pop Warner team and continued coaching until 1976. During that special time, Joe served hundreds of youth from the Kailua and Waimanalo communities and enjoyed sharing his love for football and youth athletic achievement alongside his coaching staff and the many supportive boosters. According to Kailua Mustang alumni, David Lundquist, he and Randy Parker were chosen by Joe to be water boys for the Tantalus Rangers and enjoyed seeing their coach score touchdowns every game. In the late 1970's, following his success with Kailua Mustangs, Joe coached as an assistant for Punahou's JV and Varsity teams until his son graduated from the school in 1981. Joe joined the Honolulu Fire Department in July 1964 and retired after 30 years in September 1994. He was stationed at Kailua Fire Station from the 1970's through his retirement and was able to coach the Kailua Mustang Pop Warner team at the park behind the station. He spent several of his "retirement" years working for Hardware Hawaii and enjoyed meeting and talking to Kailua residents or visitors that came through the store. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Marielena, his daughter Mari-Jo (Don), his son Tanner Joe "Joey" (Piilani); grandchildren Tanner "TJ" (Dani), Chelsea "Kehau", Courtney, Aaron, Chaena (Layne), Emily, Alii, Kalani, and Nui; and seven great-grandchildren. Services will be held on January 16, 2016 at Borthwick Mortuary at 4:30pm. The family will hold a scattering on Sunday morning at Kailua Beach.Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
