Remembering Joe Tannehill, Sr.

There are many factors that contribute to the wellbeing of a community and it takes foresight, experience, studying, collaboration, planning, and fearless execution of such plans to effectively provide solutions for the future. With a deep love and appreciation for his family and his community, Joe Tannehill, Sr. was a man who made and will continue to make an impact on Bay County far beyond his lifetime. A family that shares his compassion and humility, far-reaching accomplishments that benefit the growth and development of Bay County and Northwest Florida, and friendships that inspire loyalty and dedication beyond a lifetime are his legacy.

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS REFLECT ON A LIFETIME OF DEDICATION

“I have wonderful memories of dinnertime conversations and of how much he adored my mother and their very strong partnership and marriage. My father had a very high regard for my mother and she admired his vision. Our home was a place of respect and kindness. That’s my strongest memory as a young child. Of course, I also remember him teaching me to ride a bike and attending minor league baseball games together. My father was very devoted to us. When you’ve got a strong marriage, and family, it strengthens you in so many other ways. We moved quite a lot when I was a child, and that can make you stronger as well.

He was an up-and-coming engineer and manager in the energy sector. He was always ambitious and if he wanted to get ahead, we had to move. I had no idea of the magnitude and scope of the projects he undertook until much later. I could tell he was often quite tired at night, but he was not the one to burden us with the details or the challenges that came along with the responsibilities—he left that at the door.

Yes, he had some setbacks, like everyone. I found a wonderful letter from my mother to him, written after he had failed in getting a promotion. In essence, in the letter she told him that other doors will open. He saved that letter, and decades after she wrote it, he wrote “amen” at the bottom of it.

But none of us are successful by ourselves. And I think we all value that bedrock of family. He was very dedicated to my mother and then later to his second wife, Ann. When I think back on other things he held dearly, it comes to mind that he was a voracious reader and loved history. Abraham Lincoln was one of his idols and it reflected in his priorities, in the way he treated people, and his humbleness.

My parents managed to hang on to many friendships at every place they lived through their 50 years of marriage. I remember my mother sending Christmas cards to all our family friends. There must have been nearly one thousand cards every year.

Choosing Panama City as our home and as the location for Merrick Industries was an easy decision for him because he had worked here before for Nuclear Products Power Company as general manager before he took the job at Stock Equipment, based in Ohio. When he bought Merrick Industries, I think he was at the point where he felt he could make more of an impact in a community like Panama City.

He and mother had traveled to Panama City Beach before, early in their marriage, and they loved it. Throughout our years of moving, we traveled here a few times for family vacations. In part, that’s why he chose Panama City as a home and as a location for Merrick Industries. He was familiar with the workforce and he liked the people here.”

—Jane Perry, daughter

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I met Joe shortly after he arrived in Panama City and we developed a mutual friendship that lasted all these years. Not to be more publicized, Joe accomplished as much as anyone for our community. Two major endeavors were the Panama City Port Authority, where along with others, they hired a new, strong manager that has put the port on sound footing. His strong commitment to the location of the new airport has proved very successful.
Joe was always a gentleman, treating all people with respect and dignity. He was active in his church, teaching Bible study. But his top priority was his family. Joe was one of those rare leaders who can lead, but stay in the background.”
—Tommy M. Cooley, Sr., businessman

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“I met Joe Tannehill almost 40 years ago. Already living in Panama City, he was hired to manage Stock Equipment’s local manufacturing operation. Years after, General Signal purchased the company and later decided to close the Panama City plant, which would have resulted in the loss of 150 jobs. Moved by the potential human toll, Joe put his entire life savings into the acquisition of what would become Merrick Industries. Because of his integrity and personal faith in him, I, along with others, made loans so that he could complete the purchase and preserve those jobs.
Through years of service to the community in many different roles Joe Tannehill successfully brought hundreds of additional high-paying jobs to Bay County. As chairman of the Panama City Port Authority, he brought in a renowned port director who, along with Joe’s leadership, resulted in a major expansion of the port, its overall shipments, and its revenue.
Joe Tannehill played a critical role in the difficult decision to move the airport. Through his vision and leadership as chairman of the Airport Authority, he oversaw the completion of the new $300 million facility, which has dramatically expanded airline choice and service to our area. Joe Tannehill had an enormous impact on this community that will be felt for years to come.
We met almost 40 years ago and I’m thankful that we became close friends. My wife and I traveled extensively with Joe and his wife, Pat. From Morocco to the British Isles and to New Zealand, we treasured our time with them and our friendship. In my 89 years of life I have never known a finer human being.”
—Girard “Gerry” Clemons, founder, The Clemons Company, Inc., mayor of Panama City (1981-2005)

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“This community continues to benefit from Joe Tannehill’s many years of commitment and service. The success of two of our most important economic engines, Port Panama City and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, can be attributed in large part to Joe Tannehill’s foresight. Serving on the volunteer boards of each, simultaneously at one point, Joe embraced the potential for both. He dedicated much of his time and energy on efforts to position both for sustainable growth, forming foundations for a diverse, strong local economy. Joe Tannehill worked tirelessly, without accolades or fanfare. And, with few words. He was a gracious leader, always seeking to build up others. I was honored to work with Joe Tannehill on community projects and will always be grateful for his friendship and will continue to be inspired by his legacy.”
—Elizabeth J. Walters, St. Joe Company, senior vice president and general counsel

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“Joe was my hero! A kind southern gentleman. I owe a great debt of gratitude to
him for seeing my passion for the Bay County Chamber and the community. He was the force behind me becoming president of the Chamber. He stood his ground and I was promoted. It was a life-changing experience that has allowed me to provide for my family. Joe loved doing a drive-by to visit with me at the Chamber in his 1957 Chevy as he knew how much I loved it and that I was the same model. It always gave me a chuckle. He had a passion for this community like no other to see it grow and for its citizens to prosper. The relocation of the airport is a prime example. He, along with many others, knew it was the right decision and now look at the airport’s successes in just 10 short years. We’re talking expansion now. Joe gave me his three-page handwritten motion on the relocation of the airport—it is somewhere packed away with the Chamber’s contents after Hurricane Michael. It has a very special meaning to me. I miss you, Joe!”
—Carol Roberts, president, Bay County Chamber of Commerce

[divider] “Those who had the privilege of working closely with Mr. Tannehill over the years
quickly recognized his unselfish dedication to our community and our state.
Joe was excited about his 2000 chairmanship of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce and wanted his year to be productive.
Joe’s well-known appreciation for our military was apparent long before he began his term as 2001 chairman of the Military Affairs Committee. His MAC year was especially memorable and highlighted by an Air Force civic leader tour of seven countries, just weeks before the 9/11 2001 attack. Joe also served on the Bay Defense Alliance board and was recognized as a legacy member after serving for more than 10 years in support of Bay County’s military installations.
Joe earned a solid reputation as a thoughtful and analytical independent thinker with a talent for building consensus. In January 2002, Mr. Tannehill was encouraged by community leaders to serve on the Airport Authority Board, which would soon address and implement one of the most important economic development decisions in the history of our community. In August 2003, Joe attended the christening of a Navy Destroyer, the USS Momsen, in Bath, Maine, and quickly committed to supporting the ship’s commissioning scheduled for August 28, 2004 at Port Panama City, while Joe was serving as a commissioner on the Port Panama City board.
Throughout his years of community service in Bay County, state and regional boards also benefited from Joe’s talents, including the Florida Energy Commission, the Gulf Power Board of Directors, Enterprise Florida, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce.”
—Tom Neubauer, president, ERA Neubauer Real Estate, Inc.

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“Joe, at heart, was a family man. He cherished his four children, Jane, Margaret, Mary, and Joe, Jr. and was never happier than when we were all together— children and spouses, and grandchildren—for a family dinner or a special celebration. He never failed to end a phone or in-person visit with any of them without saying, ‘I love you.’
Joe loved cars, music, sports, coffee, and Klondike bars. A sentimental guy, he kept umpteen old cars—formerly his or owned by other members of his family. He owned his grandmother’s old green 1951 Chevy and drove it, adorned with a wreath on the grill, at Christmastime.
Blessed with a very nice baritone voice, Joe loved to sing. I first met Joe and Pat more than 50 years ago when my husband and I worked with the church youth group and Joe directed the youth choir. I remember him praising and encouraging the group by telling them that they sounded liked the Duke choir. He listened to the Carpenters, Patsy Cline, and Clearwater Creek, and waltzed me around the kitchen floor if a song made him feel like dancing. Classical music interested him, too, and we always attended the Panama City Music Association concerts.
Sports were a perennial interest—football and baseball, especially his hometown team, the Cleveland Indians. One of the many stories he told was about sitting next to Bob Feller on a plane. Joe played golf and made several trips to Scotland with his son Joe Jr. and his buddies, where they proclaimed him ‘the king.’
Joe was generous with his time, talents, and treasures. In addition to serving the community, he might pick up a restaurant bill for fellow diners, sometimes for people he didn’t even know. Although his health declined, he remained the kind, sweet, and loving Joe that we all love and remember. I miss him.”
—Ann Fleming Tannehill, wife

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“Our father was a family man with many achievements. He also had so many talents: fixing old cars, caring for clocks, singing in the choir, playing the violin, cooking delicious scallops on the grill, running in the neighborhood, and participating in family reunions. Dad loved his family and he was so fortunate to have two wonderful women in his life who supported him. Our mother and he raised the four of us and gave us a lovely home. After our mother passed, Dad married Ann, and they had many special times together. The past five years of Dad’s life he suffered from dementia. Ann was always his best supporter and kind companion. Ann enabled Dad to be at home these past few years, and was there when he passed peacefully at home with her. We are so appreciative of all she did for our father. While we will miss Dad, we have many blessings to remember.”
—Margaret Tannehill Thibodeau, daughter