John and Shirley Tanner have been lifelong residents of Big Piney and will be celebrating their 65^th anniversary on Oct. 29.

They were high school sweethearts at Big Piney and both attended the University of Wyoming. After John spent several months in England and Wales as an IFYE student, he returned and they were married on Sept. 29, 1956. They raised two daughters, Lynn and Gayle, on the Budd Hereford Ranch in Big Piney and spent most of their time ranching. Shirley was often a substitute teacher in Big Piney when time allowed. After retiring from ranching in the ‘70s, John worked as an independent contractor to the Big Piney school system for several years. Retirement was then on their bucket list, but after less than a year John decided to spend some time in the oil field as a pipeline instructor. Finally, they were ready to retire and spend winters in Arizona traveling around and would return home for the summers. They eventually built a home outside Kingman, Ariz., where they would base their adventures from each winter. Summers were spent in Big Piney with grandchildren, family and friends. John and Shirley are currently with their daughter in Casper, Wyo. They have two grandchildren (Lindsey and Clint) and two great-granddaughters (Sydney and Avery).