Dallas Nelson “Junior” Tatman, Jr., MSgt (Ret), 71, of Newcomerstown, Ohio, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at home, with family by his side. Born January 24, 1954, in Dennison, Ohio, he was the only son of the late Dallas Nelson and Betty Louise (Boehme) Tatman, Sr.
Dallas joined the U.S. Air Force on January 13, 1975, and retired on January 31, 1999, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. He was a dedicated crew chief, responsible for aircraft maintenance on the F-4G “wild weasel” fighter jet and the B-1 “the bone” bomber. His 24+ year Air Force career took him to numerous locations around the world. He was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada; Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina; George Air Force Base, California; Clark Air Force Base, Republic of the Philippines; Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, and finally at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. He even deployed and participated in Operation Bright Star, Egypt, in 1995 with his oldest daughter, Beverly. He received numerous medals, which included the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. He moved back home to Ohio in 2002 to be with his youngest daughter Amber and her family. He began his second career as a Concrete Technician for Aggregate & Concrete Testing Services of Gnadenhutten, Ohio. Although he did not get to experience raising his two daughters, he fully experienced and thoroughly enjoyed being a grandpa and lived for his grandchildren.
Having spent most of his younger years in the woods and on the lake with his father, Junior was an avid hunter and enjoyed fishing.
In the family, Dallas was known as “Junior”. He and his two cousins, Orville Tatman and Bill Irvin, grew up together like brothers. The trio spent hours watching Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and others on TV and then spent more hours trying to recreate what they had seen on the screen. And, growing up together on a farm gave them plenty of opportunities to play in the hay mow.
Junior developed a love for airplanes as a child after being given a toy airplane he could twirl around on a string. His fascination with airplanes and the natural talents he displayed working on farm machinery with his dad led to his career in the Air Force where he worked for over two decades. After leaving the Air Force, he told his family he would gladly go back and serve again if he were given the chance.
Junior had a need for speed. One day, back in the early 70’s, he and his cousin Bill were racing from New Philadelphia to Tuscarawas. Even though Bill was traveling between 80-90 MPH, Junior had no trouble taking the lead and winning the race.
He also had a sense of humor. Junior would tell a story about sitting alone at a table in a bar when a burly, rough and rude biker came in. The biker saw Junior at the table and came over to him, looking ready for a fight. The biker said, “I don’t like your shirt.” Junior calmly replied, “I don’t like it my own damned self but it’s the only shirt I have.” Surprised by the funny comeback, the fella laughed and offered to buy Junior a drink.
That’s the kind of guy Junior was.
He is survived by his daughters, Beverly (Jason) Fish of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Amber (Kyle) Bourne of Newcomerstown, Ohio; grandchildren Andy (Jasmin) Fish of Juneau, Alaska, Alex Fish of San Jose, California, Shelby Stukey and fiancé Tanner Freeman of Uhrichsville, Cheyenne Stukey of Newcomerstown, Hunter “Bubby” Stukey of Port Washington, Kylee and Jaylynn Bourne of Newcomerstown; his three sisters, Doris Tatman of New Philadelphia, Patsy Incarnato and Nancy Baker of Uhrichsville; a brother-in-law Robert “Bob” Conklin of Uhrichsville, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Growing up Junior had three very close “brothers” as he referred to them; his cousins William Irvin of Grove City, Ohio, Orville Tatman, and the late Charles “Butch” Tatman of Uhrichsville Ohio. He is also survived by his close friend Jeff Milburn.
Besides his parents, Dallas was preceded in death by his grandparents the late Cecil and Jessie (Irvin) Tatman, and the late CW3 Werner and Daisy (Love) Boehme, his sisters Adele (Tatman) Conklin, Margaret “Sissy” (Tatman) Stilgenbauer, brother-in-law Lee Stilgenbauer, nephew Waylon Jennings Jones, niece Nicolle Lynn Tatman, and great nephew, Anthony Joseph “Baby AJ” Conklin.
In keeping with Dallas’s wishes, he will be cremated. A celebration of life will be held at the Masonic Lodge, 235 N Bridge Street, Newcomerstown, Ohio, for family and friends on Saturday, March 8, 2025, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Folds of Honor at https://foldsofhonor.org.
Addy Funeral Home
406 West State Street
Newcomerstown, OH 43832
740-498-8111
www.addyfuneralhome.com
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dallas N. Tatman, please visit our floral store.