Tanner Martin has reached his eternal resting place, his journey concluded in a poignant manner. Just a week after he bravely announced his passing in a poignant video, shared on his and his wife Shay Martin's shared Instagram account, following a valiant battle with cancer that spanned several years, his cherished loved ones gathered to pay homage at his funeral.
"It is an immense honor and heartfelt privilege to have been his father—a role I cherish even in this moment of sorrow," expressed Tanner's father, Thomas, in an emotional eulogy delivered during the July 5 ceremony. "He was a beacon of joy, always eager to befriend everyone around him. In his younger years, he innocently presumed that most people desired his friendship just as much. His default setting was happiness and friendliness; it was an enduring part of his essence."
Thomas then offered a poignant glimpse into the final days of his 30-year-old son. "In Tanner's final week, his brother Spencer and I shared cherished moments with him, watching the iconic Star Wars trilogy together," he recounted. "Our movie marathon extended to the Raiders of the Lost Ark trilogy and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, encapsulating his boundless love for fantasy cinema."
Indeed, the influencer—diagnosed with colon cancer in 2020—was such an avid fan of these films that his wife chose to imbue his funeral with a special, thematic touch. "We invite all attendees to don Star Wars attire in honor of Tanner," Shay posted on Instagram on June 29, alongside the funeral arrangements. "Moreover, Tanner expressed a heartfelt wish for Star Wars stickers to adorn his casket, a final nod to his beloved fandom."
The emotional funeral ceremony for Tanner unfolded mere days after he announced his passing on social media, just a month after he and Shay welcomed their daughter AmyLou, affectionately known as Jiaozi, into their lives.
"Hey, it's me, Tanner. If you're watching this, I've embarked on my final journey," he said in a poignant Instagram video dated June 25. "I lived a life full of adventures and memories. I chose to create this video to announce my passing, inspired by someone who did the same a year ago. It's a meaningful way to articulate my thoughts and encourage those left behind to consider the needs of their loved ones."
By creating this video himself, the TikTok sensation aimed to personally thank his followers for their unwavering support throughout his cancer journey, granting his wife "a precious moment to grieve in peace." "Thank you for all the love and support you've shown me and my little family," he continued. "At this difficult time, I humbly request your continued prayers and support for my beloved Shay and our daughter Jiaozi."
