James Carlton (Jim) Tennant, wonderful father and friend, and formerly of Millboro, Virginia, was called to his heavenly home, at the age of 89, on Sunday, April 21, 2013.
He died from a brief illness at The Golden Living Center in Clifton Forge, Virginia.
Jim was born on February 6, 1924 in Williamsville, Virginia, to the late William and Gertha Belle McCall Tennant.
He was a retired owner/manager of the Mountain View Service Station at the foot of Warm Springs Mountain in Millboro for 39 years.
During his life, he served his God, his country and his community well. He was known for improving his community by assisting in acquiring telephone service for his area, helped with the creation of two industrial parks in Bath County via the I.D.A. Board Service, was a fifty year board member of BARC, and a thirty year member as well as chairman of the Bath County Electoral Board.
Jim enjoyed people, his pets, flying and driving.
He was especially proud of his service in the United States Army Air Corps in World War II. He had an exciting story about parachuting into the ocean with his subsequent rescue that has been told and published many times. Jim was the last survivor of his original crew, of which he was the radio operator.
He was a member of the Coleman-Brinkley VFW Post 4204, and an active member of Windy Cove Presbyterian Church for many years, where he sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, was an elder, and was church treasurer for fifty years. He also presided over the Fairview Community Center for several years.
Jim had a rich Masonic history as a 63 year member of the Millboro Masonic Lodge # 28 A.F. & A. M., the Alleghany Royal Arch Chapter # 24 of the Royal Arch Masons, and the Alleghany Commandery # 23. He was a member of the Kazim Shriners A.A.O.N.M.S. of Roanoke, the Hot Springs Shrine Club, and the Clifton Forge Shrine Club.
Even after his workday was over, he took the time to coach many young men to be Masonic lodge members.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Lee LaRue Tennant; two brothers, John Tennant and William Tennant; and a sister, Ruth Sevigny. He is survived by a daughter, Linda Weiss and husband, Mark of Warm Springs; two sons, James Lee "Jimbo" Tennant and his wife, Clara, and Michael Carlton Tennant, both of Millboro; a sister, Phyllis Collis of Stephens City; two brothers, Charles Tennant of Dayton, and Harry Tennant of Naples, FL; a special sister-in-law, Ann LaRue Durfee and her daughter, Vikki; five grandchildren, April Amos, Bobby Tennant, Bryan Tennant, Melisa Via and Chris Martin; two great grandchildren, Branden Via and Katie Via; a number of nieces and nephews; and special friend and pastor, Rob Sherrard.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in Windy Cove Presbyterian Church, Millboro Springs with Reverend Rob Sherrard officiating. Interment will follow in Woodland Cemetery, Bath County. Military rites will be conducted at the graveside by members of the Coleman-Brinkley VFW Post 4204.
Active pallbearers will be Bobby Tennant, Bryan Tennant, Branden Via, Chris Martin, Tommy Ady, Bobby Ady, Mike Burns and Kenny Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be employees of BARC and members of Millboro Masonic Lodge.
The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge and other times at the home of Jimbo and Clara Tennant, 21756 Mountain Valley Road, Millboro, VA or Linda and Mark Weiss, 53 Walnut Drive, Warm Springs, VA. Masonic rites will be presented on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. by members of the Millboro Masonic Lodge # 28 A.F. & A. M.
Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge is handling arrangements. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Windy Cove Presbyterian Church Preservation Fund, 102 Windy Cove Road, Millboro, VA 24460 or to the Millboro Area Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 295, Millboro, VA 24460.
