Mr. John (Johnny, PeePaw) Francis Tatar, 76, of Clover, South Carolina, passed away Friday, July 24, 2026, at home surrounded by his family.

Mr. Tatar was born on March 23, 1950, in Gastonia, North Carolina. He spent 30+ years dedicated to his career at Piedmont Natural Gas, with friends that became family over the years.

He was a devoted father to Holly and Matt, never missing a dance recital, boy-scout challenge, sporting event or trip to Carowinds. His home, during Matt’s teenage years at Clover High, became a safe place for countless teens, as his door and heart were always open. Most of those kids, who are now adults with children of their own, will always remember Mr. Tatar as their “bonus” dad.  

Little did he know the joy in his life would grow even more once he tied the knot with his loving wife Bobbie, on August 12, 2006.  The refuge and love they found in one another was something only seen in fairy tales, as she always called Johnny her knight and shining armor.  He would then add a daughter, Alexis to his family, loving her as if she had always been his own.  The memories Bobbie and Johnny made during the second half of his life would be everything he could hope for and more. There were so many more memories they had planned to share over the years, but God knew all along exactly what He had in store.

Mr. Tatar had a passion for billiards, eventually traveling with his team to compete in the Las Vegas championship… an experience he deeply enjoyed remembering. One of his most precious memories was a trip to the British Virgin Islands with the Tatar men, ultimately fulfilling a bucket-list promise to his father, Bobby Curtis. Whether he was boating around on Lake Wylie, camper traveling with his devoted wife, Bobbie, swimming with his grandkids, sitting around the bonfire making memories with loved ones, or spending hours golfing on the green, Mr. Tatar was happiest when he was outdoors and with the people he loved most.

His grandkids were the heart of his world and he delighted in their laughter, curiosity, and any chance to be a part of their everyday lives. Mr. Tatar was a man who found joy in simple pleasures and the relationships he shared throughout his life. To know him was to love him, and he was loved deeply, by so very many.

He was a committed supporter and volunteer with Lake Wylie’s Children’s Charity since its inception in 2003.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floy Faye Greer Curtis and Bobby Gene Curtis; sister, Diane Francis Burns, and brother, Jeffrey Michael Tatar.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Bobbie Nell Marcus Tatar; daughter, Hollyster “Holly” Elayne Tatar; son, Jonathan Matthew Tatar (Rebecca); stepdaughter, Alexis Deon Gregory (John Dunlap); four grandchildren, Lyla Jane Dunlap, River Blaine McFadden, David Gates McFadden, and Nolan Matthew Tatar; sister, Jeannette T. Marlowe (Wayne); brother-in-law, Bill Burns (Marve); nieces, Jaime Marlowe Robinson (Brad), Jennifer Tatar Greer (Shane), and Beth Tatar Leininger; nephews, William Dutch Burns (Dawn), Donald Christopher “Chris” Burns (Dawn), and Jeffrey Michael Tatar, Jr. (Heather).

A visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 1, 2026, at M. L. Ford & Sons Funeral Home, 4820 Charlotte Hwy, Lake Wylie, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lake Wylie Children’s Charity, P. O. Box 5188, Clover, SC 29710 (www.lkwchildrenscharity.org/donate/).

M. L. Ford & Sons Funeral Home, Lake Wylie, SC is serving the Tatar family.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.