He was born Jan. 16, 1970, in Floyd County, but lived most of his life in Bartow County. He was a member of the Adairsville Baptist Church. Eric was more recently employed as a real estate developer, builder and cattleman. He was a member of the Georgia Cattleman's Association and a former city of Adairsville councilman. Eric was an avid outdoor sportsman. He loved hunting, fishing and hiking and successfully climbed several of the tallest mountains in the United States.
Eric was preceded in death by his grandparents, Christine and Starlin Medlin and L.H. and Louise Tankersley, and is survived by his daughter, Lance Cpl. Kristin Tankersley; fiancee, Wendy Swan; mother and stepfather, Shirley Medlin Davis and Jesse Davis; sister and brother-in-law, Rhonda and Charles Mapes; his father, Mark Tankersley; and nephews, Trevor, Michael and John Mapes. Eric was preceeded in death by his son, Thomas Tankersley.
The family received family and friends at Owen Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 5 to 9 p.m. A celebration of his life will be held Friday, April 1, at 11 a.m. at the chapel of Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive, Cartersville, with Dr. Charles Sineath and Rev. Jim Pinkard officiating.
Pallbearers will be Kristin Tankersley, Steve Kackson, Larry Pratt, Rck Pascoe, Shane West, Jamie Haygood, Kerry Howell and Gary Floyd. Danny Moore will be an honorary pallbearer.
Contributions may be made to the Mountain View Community Church, mission fund, 470 Bent Tree Drive, Jasper, GA 30143 or Cancer Navigators, 1013 North Fifth Ave., Ste 7, Rome, GA 30165.
Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive, Cartersville, is in charge of the arrangements.