Thomas Aaron Tenney, Sr. passed from this life on September 24, 2015 following a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease at the age of 80. Tom was born on May 24, 1935 in Adrian, West Virginia to Rev. and Mrs. Albert L. Tenney and married the love of his life on September 9, 1955. Tom received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Charleston, West Virginia and spent 35 years with Southern Bell where he held several management positions. Upon his retirement from Southern Bell in 1991, he answered God’s call and studied for the ministry of the United Methodist Church at Emory University. Tom was pastor of many churches throughout northeast Florida and assisted in the founding of Celebration United Methodist Church in Gainesville even after his retirement. Recently Tom received the honor of fifty year membership in the R.T. Schafer Masonic Lodge Number 350 of Gainesville. Tom was loved by everyone who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, six sisters, and one brother. To continue his legacy of faithfulness and service to God and family, he leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Helen Scott Tenney, two sons, Thomas A. Tenney, Jr. and wife, Susan, of Raleigh, North Carolina and Mark C. Tenney and wife Kathy of Charlotte, North Carolina; a daughter, Marsha Hill and husband, Keith, of Palatka; four grandchildren, Natalie Dixon and husband, Lonnie, of Palatka, John Tenney and wife Sheena, of Gainesville, Matthew Tenney of Orlando, Christina Tenney of Raleigh, NC, David Hill and wife Chelsea of Jacksonville, and Kellen Hill of Palatka; two great-grandchildren, Ella and Graham Dixon of Palatka; two sisters and a brother, Jean Warner (Johnny), Betty Garvey; and Paul Tenney; one sister-in-law, Janet Davidson (Tom), and numerous nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held Sunday from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 NW 23rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL. Memorial services will be at Celebration United Methodist Church, 9501 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL on Monday at 11:00 am with internment to follow at Forest Meadows Central on 39th Avenue in Gainesville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Celebration United Methodist Church or Haven Hospice, St. Augustine, FL.
