Leroy Ross Tanis

Leroy Ross Tanis, born August 22, 1944 in Everett Washington, passed away peacefully at his home in Marysville, on November 6, 2025. He was 81 years old when he passed from this life into the next, to be with his Savior Jesus Christ.

He was predeceased by his parents John Tanis and Della Tanis (nee Klein), brothers Paul Tanis, John Tanis, John E. Tanis, and Robert Tanis. He is survived by Valerie Tanis (nee Griffin) his loving wife of 54 years, children Victor-Lee (Tara) Tanis, Ross (Marsha) Tanis, Dale (Julie) Tanis, Marydell (Jesse) Potter, and Valerie Marie (Rory) Stevens. His legacy continues through his 17 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Leroy’s life was deeply rooted in the communities of Arlington and Marysville, where he spent his years surrounded by family, faith, and the simple joys that brought him happiness.

Born to a dairy farming family, Leroy grew up spending his days working hard with farm chores and milking his dad's herd of cows before and after school. Somehow he always found time to play pretend cowboys like Chuck Connors "The Rifleman." He would Brandish his self modified custom sawed-off lever action BB rifle, then race off to his favorite spring-fed secret fishing hole; the location of which he kept safe-guarded from the neighboring farm boys. Or you might find him exploring the railroad tracks above farm, or deodorizing skunks he caught at the local landfill. Sometimes you would see Leroy riding down the road with a fresh skunk in hand dangling out the window or see the local sheriff keeping pace with him shaking his head as Leroy rode his motorcycle backwards through the pasture alongside Armar Road.

Leroy's dad thought him to be a little young to buy a gun, but he never said Leroy couldn't make one! So in true Leroy fashion, he said to himself "if I can't buy one... I bet I can make one!" And he did! His homebuilt .22 pistol worked great... at first. But after a few shots the bullet went one way and the hammer the other, whizzing right past his ear! His dad soon realized it was likely safer for Leroy to buy a real gun, rather than keep making his own! After that, you could find Leroy practicing his fast draw at the family gravel pit, toting his brand new pair of Colt six-shooters, tied down, slung low, and ready for action.

Leroy was a man of many talents and interests, he found joy in working with his hands, creating things he had only seen once, or saw pictured in a book. A welder by trade, he worked building fishing boats, starting with a single I-beam which they built around until the boat was complete. He also built railroad box cars before heading up to Alaska. There he worked long, profitable hours, building the massive storage tanks for the new Pipeline. Then after a few short years he came home to Marysville and bought his family a home for cash on the barrel head.

Leroy had a passion to create and understand how things work. After looking at a problem he would soon have a solution in the form of a "jig," a specialized tool, or a new invention enabling him to do the work of two or three men by himself. He loved making things for his wife - anything from garden trellises to a sprawling nativity. He made toy guns, game boards, and swords for his kids. He made wooden trucks, wood puzzles, and treasure boxes for the grandchildren, often partnering with his wife to make special treasures for each of them.

He loved his shop and would often be found tinkering there, in the barn, building something new. One of the tools created for his wife's gardening needs is registered at the patent office. But whether he was crafting a custom piece of furniture or repairing something around the farm, he kept his hands and mind busy, approaching each project with creativity and care.

Putting down roots and living off the richness of the land was in Leroy's blood. Soon after purchasing "The Val-Lee Farm" in 1978, he planted numerous varieties of apples, plums, Italian prunes, hazelnuts, winter and summer pears, blueberries, raspberries and a spacious garden, all rooted down in the dark, rich, soil of the valley. With the addition of a few head of cattle for milk, cream and fresh butter, steers, turkeys, and rabbits for meat, the farm began to produce all that was needed to care for the wants, needs and appetites of a growing family. Leroy, wanting to minimize the mess and heat in the house during harvest, built his wife an outdoor kitchen to clean, can, and preserve the abundance of produce and fruit that followed. Then, with the addition of a homebuilt and designed apple press, the farm soon had not only fresh fruit and produce but fresh apple cider by the gallon. When not working on the property he loved, Leroy enjoyed spending time playing Rook, Dominos, and Chinese checkers, while always sharing a constant stream of coffee and laughter with his friends and family. Five generations have now worked, played, loved and lived on the Val-Lee Farm a testament to roots he planted there nearly 50 years ago.

Family has always been important to Leroy. The day his father died in 1984 he took his mother home to live with him and his growing family. Soon the old detached garage on the farm was transformed into a beautiful retirement cottage for his mother to live out her days. This she did until the day she passed away, 8 years later.

Leroy's faith in Christ and his hospitable nature played a central role in his life, perhaps most evidently displayed in the open door policy of his home. There was hardly a day when those, young or old, who needed love, a meal, or a place to stay, could not be found around his table or in a spare room. From family friends, to troubled teens, or those in need, all were welcomed. Leroy and Valerie's Sunday morning breakfast table was hardly found without teenagers who came to get their fill of toast, sour milk pancakes, bacon, and soft boiled eggs (each sitting cutely in little egg cups) before they would all head off to church. For 15 years the farm was also a summer weekend campout destination for a youth group who would travel down from Westbank, British Columbia, to play on the farm! It was always a summer highlight for all involved.

Leroy shared the farm God had blessed him with because he loved Jesus and wanted to share that love the way he knew how. Leroy also loved his Bible. In the later years especially, not a visit would go by without him bringing up something he was enjoying from reading or meditating on the Word of God that day. He was a lifetime member of Marysville Gospel Hall in Marysville, and its parent church in Arlington. There he found a place to worship, fellowship with other Christians, and a place to share his deep enduring love and appreciation for his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Leroy Ross Tanis will be remembered for his sly smile, mischievous sense of humor, contemplative spirit, quick wit, joyful heart, skilled hands, and the deep love he had for family and God. May his memory bring comfort today to all who knew him.

A Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Marysville Gospel Hall at 10:30 am. 5202 116th St NE, Marysville, WA 98271

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