A time for Tim, giving back to a giver.

I met Tim Tanner when I was 15 years old, but had heard plenty of stories of his BMX / Motorcycle riding capabilities and how he was just a really cool guy, even to the younger kids. We both grew up in Sun Valley, California, but Tim lived closer to a hallowed riding place we called “The Japs” (no disrespect or racism intended). This small canyon, about 10 acres had once been a lush Japanese Garden (hence the nickname), but it had another name to some.., “Tanner’s Canyon”. Tim was fast to make friends with you (unless you were a jerk), would help you in any way he could, and shared what he had, though it was seldom anymore than the rest of us had. Tim was your typical looking So Cal Surfer dude, slim build long straight blond hair and tanned skin. I met Tim through a couple of mutual families/friends, on a Friday night, he was taking my younger sister Jill, and her friend Jody to the movies, and when they came to pick her up I was introduced to the legend, and he invited me to go to the movies also. We shared a love for motocross, especially XR75’s on the mini track at Indian Dunes. Tim became the older brother I never had, took us the beach, movies, moto crossing, go karts etc., and taught me how to drive a manual transmission in his always sanitary Datsun pickup. When I got a little older, Tim was always up for skim boarding at the beach, going to dance clubs, and we had many legendary trips to Carpinteria beach, and hanging out with our beloved “Carp girls”, Danica, Kim & Leah. Tim has worked much of his life as an outside contractor, and he was good at saving money, but never had the luxury of paid medical benefits. Several years ago Tim had a major heart attack, and was pronounced dead in the ER. Six minutes after the official call, a heart surgeon who was on the way home from church with his family, had a sudden “feeling” to stop at the hospital to “check on a patient”.

Someone just coming out of the ER saw him, and rushed him to Tim’s side, and he was able to bring Tim back. With a minimum of health insurance, Tim now in his 60’s, the hospital bills drained his savings.

Tim has sold nearly every thing he owns, rents a 670 sq ft 1 bedroom home for $700 a month, and is literally living on beans & franks.

Tim is a Christ believer, but his hope is very low, because his situation just isn’t changing, and now he is 71, his heart is destroyed and his doctor says he may live another 12 seconds

or 12 months. Tim and I talked until 2am recently, and I promised him I would try to help, as nearly all his “friends” have left him hanging. If you know me, you know I’ve never done this before, but I’m asking if you would help me keep my promise to Tim.

My goal is to raise $8500, which would cover Tims rent for a year.

If you can’t help financially,

please send a prayer to our Father God for healing or for heaven for Tim. Thanks for taking a moment to read our friendship story.

Sincerely, Ric.