Roy R. "Tank" Colbrunn, age 68, of Xenia, passed away Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Kettering Medical Center.  He was born December 14, 1956 in Youngstown, Ohio, the oldest and most handsome of the four children born to Beverly A. (Lawrence) and the late Roy I. Colbrunn.
Tank was raised in Vienna, Ohio, graduated from Mathews High School, Class of 1975 and attended Youngstown State University. He proudly served in the US Marine Corps. During his enlistment he was selected to serve as one of two USMC representatives on the honor detail and as a pallbearer of an unknown Revolutionary war soldier. During this time, Tank began his lifelong career as a firefighter by volunteering with the Vienna Twp. Fire Department. He transferred to the Air Force Reserve in 1979, which ultimately lead to his acceptance of a full time firefighting position at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in 1986. Simultaneously, Tank served on the Xenia Twp. Fire Dept. Throughout his career as a firefighter, Tank received several performance awards, served on multiple boards and committees and was a champion of both base and command level VPP programs enhancing the safety of fellow employees and the people of the community. He served with distinction and was highly respected by his peers. Tank retired from Wright Patterson AFB in 2013 and Xenia Twp. Fire Dept in 2016. Presently, He was serving as the District Representative for the Federal IAFF-16th District, a position he had held since 2003. He also served as former President of the Wright Patterson Fire Dept.  Local Union F88, and since January  2021, was presently Federal Joint Council Vice President. Tank was a former member of Faith Community United Methodist Church and Westminster Presbyterian and currently attended Bethel Community Church. He enjoyed music and sang in various choirs. He was a Free & Accepted Mason and member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Dayton.
He loved to camp and throughout the years he had formed the "Campers Association" made up of his family and friends who camped together. He enjoyed relaxing in the back yard with a cigar, throwing the frisbee with his beloved companion, Levi. He also dearly loved his 2000 Pontiac Firebird TransAm. Tank left an impact everywhere he went and was known and respected throughout the country for his work as a firefighter and Union representative. Tank earned his nickname because he was a big man, with an even bigger heart and was generous beyond measure. Even after his death, Tank was a tissue donor enabling him to continue his legacy of helping others.
Tank leaves a large group of family and friends who will miss him dearly. He is survived by his mother, Beverly Colbrunn of Vienna, OH; his loving wife, LuAnn (Mackey), whom he married October 17, 2014; his daughter: Kaleena (Tony) Albertini of Bellbrook; step sons: Jasen (Kat) White of Alexandria, OH and Terry White of Vienna, OH; brother: Chris (Donna) Colbrunn of Cortland, OH; sisters: Cheri Ponikvar (Ron Laverty) of Vienna, OH; and Jackie (Tom) Arbanas of Butler, PA; grandchildren: Caleb Albertini, Annaliese Albertini, Rose White, Lilly White, Kayleigh Albertini, Mackey White, Scarlett White and Daniella Albertini; Brothers in law: Brian (Ginni) Mackey of Boardman, OH, Tod (Diane) Mackey of Vienna, OH, Sister in law: Lori (Russ) French of Brookfield, OH, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, PO Drawer 498 Emmitsburg, MD 21727 or online at www.firehero.org/donate.
Public visitation for friends and family will begin 11:30 AM Monday, January 20, 2025 at First Church of Christ, 441 Ledbetter Road, Xenia, with a celebration of his life beginning at 1:30 PM. Honors will be present representing both the military and the fire departments.