Obituary

Raymond "Wink" Winston Tanco passed away on May 8, 2024 at the age of 85, after a battle with Dementia and a heart condition for the past few years.

He will always be remembered for his cheerful disposition, humorous personality, and hard-working attitude. He was a loving family man, a loyal friend to many, great co-worker and team member, and a competitive, but honest opponent.

Raymond was born in 1938, in Dallas, Texas to Mildred Estelle Caton Tanco and Edwin Raymond Tanco and was the oldest of two children. His brother Michael Edwin Tanco was born four years later. Raymond was a quick-learner and excelled in school, able to jump ahead and graduate at midterm from Adamson High School in 1956. He joined the Marines, traveling around the globe repairing helicopters and achieving the rank of Corporal. After two years in the service, he was honorably discharged, but served in the reserves for four more years.

Soon he met and married the love of his life Norma Ann Ray Tanco, who gave him three children. He had various jobs after the service but joining Western Electric repairing and installing phone systems became his career, lasting 25 years. Then he moved to Southwestern Bell (AT&T) for a short time. He changed careers as computers became more widely used, moving to the defense industry and working at Northrup Grumman for 18 years in informational technology and asset management, where he eventually retired.

He was a great outside griller and loved his Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers! He was a huge fan of sports, even coaching his kid's youth baseball teams, and later becoming a part-time referee for youth and high school sports for 12 years. He loved playing on company bowling leagues, family bowling leagues, playing golf on the weekends, and traveling with his wife. After retirement he continued to play golf with friends and loved playing in tournaments and competitive matches. He was a great teammate and loyal friend.

Raymond is survived by his wife of 65 years, Norma Ann Ray Tanco; his three children, Stephen Michael Tanco and wife Yany, David Winston Tanco and wife Marlene, and Katrina Ann Tanco Suits and husband Michael; six grandchildren, Allison Marie Tanco Borts and husband Michael, Sarah Elizabeth Tanco, Michael Norman Tanco, Brandon Michael Suits, Olivia Ann Suits, and Tyler David Suits; and brother, Michael Edwin Tanco.