J. O. Tant Jr

John O. Tant Jr (born December 6, 1927; died October 14, 2012) was the co-founder of Burch & Tant Formal Wear and later Tant & Tant Formal Wear.

Tant was the son of Lena and John Tant, Sr. He graduated from Ensley High School and attended Anderson University in Indiana. While at university, he met his wife, the former Hilda Johnson, whom he married in around 1949.

The couple returned to Birmingham after college and Tant began working in the men's clothing business. He founded Burch & Tant Formal Wear with his partner, Major Burch and grew the business for 30 years. They also founded Burch & Tant Custom Tailoring, which was later sold. Tant also founded the South Eastern Formal Wear Association and served as the organization's first president. Burch and Tant later split, with Tant forming Tant & Tant Form Wear with his son, Terry in the early 1980s. The elder Tant retired in the 1990s.

Tant was also an active Mason, reaching the 32nd Degree at Cahaba Heights Lodge No. 887. He then joined the York Rite of Alabama and, in 1966, became a member of the Scottish Rite of Alabama at the Zamora Shrine Temple, where was known for playing Santa Claus. Tant was also a member of Riverchase United Methodist Church.

Tant spent his final years at Galleria Woods. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter Robin Tant Wood, six granddaughters, and eight great-grandchildren.

References

• John "J. O." Tant, Jr. obituary. (October 16, 20120.) The Birmingham News