John Tanksley Obituary 2023: Honoring the Legacy of a Respected Akron Football Coach – Funeral and Visitation Details
We extend our deepest condolences to the young individuals who regarded him as a coach and role model, and we invite you to join us in expressing our heartfelt sympathies. The sudden passing of Coach John Tanksley has left us all in a state of disbelief. We are filled with a sense of loss and regret. It is impossible to quantify the level of care and concern that Coach Tanksley demonstrated for his players and students; it was truly unparalleled.
To the parents, students, and families, we offer our condolences with heavy hearts as we grapple with the tragic loss of a beloved leader in our Spartan community, Head Football Coach John Tanksley. John Tanksley passed away unexpectedly earlier this week under circumstances that remain mysterious. Reports are circulating that he passed away early today. We are all stunned by his departure, and we ask the entire Springfield community to join us in extending our sincerest sympathies to the Tanksley family and the young individuals who admired him as a coach and role model.
We will forever strive to live up to the example he set for us through his unwavering loyalty and unwavering support, as it sets a high standard for us to reach. The benchmark he established is one we will always aspire to meet. On June 12, 2023, at 4:00 PM, our football team is scheduled to gather for practice. We will ensure that counselors are available in the cafeteria for anyone who would like to speak with them. They will be stationed there, ready to assist and easily accessible.
We would also like to share with you the article in Akron Beacon Journal in which he introduced himself.
John Tanksley
NORTON CITY SCHOOLS
Meet Make the Grade Amazing Teacher John Tanksley
Akron Beacon Journal
Name: John Tanksley
School: Norton High School
High school alma mater: Lake High School
College: University of Akron and Kent State University
Family: Denise Tanksley, wife; Corey Tanksley, Phillip and Mike Ferguson, sons; Ally Ferguson, daughter-in-law; and Scarlett Ferguson, granddaughter.
What subject(s) do you teach (grade level)? I teach CBI (Career Based Intervention) grades 11 and 12.
What is the best part of your job? When I see what I am teaching gets through to my students and they realize how it will affect their lives in the future.
What is the most challenging part of your job? Teaching students remotely. Getting them to class everyday either logged in or in person on a regular basis. It is very challenging sometimes to just get some students to show up to class during the COVID restrictions.
Is teaching kids the same today as when you first started? No, but I can say that I am not teaching the same coursework as when I started. I love the students I have and the CBI course I am teaching. The counselors (Tracy Colecchi, Jessica Williams) and administration (Ryan Shanor, Rob Howerton) do a great job with the student selection process for CBI. They are also great in assisting me in ensuring the success of my students.
Your students would be surprised to know that you… Have a great respect for all of them. For what I know they have and are still going through in their lives. My students have tough situations and I am proud of the way they have risen above their struggles and have been successful in many ways.
What’s your hidden talent? Woodworking, woodburning and remodeling.
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be doing? I would most likely be working for Cisco Networking.
After a long day at work, what’s the best way to relax? Work on some sort of project with my hands.
District explains nomination: John Tanksley is a perfect teacher for our works studies program. He does a tremendous job of helping students secure jobs, learn career-based education and ultimately graduate. The students respect him for his no nonsense approach but also his tremendous heart because they know he always has their best interests in mind.
