Lemley Chapel
Serving Sedro-Woolley &
All of Skagit County Since 1935
1008 Third Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA
360-855-1288
www.LemleyChapel.com
David Tennyson Memorial
David Tennyson Memorial

David Tennyson

David Tennyson

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014

    David Loren Tennyson, 69, a resident of Burlington, passed away at his home on Wednesday, July 23, 2014 after a hard fight battling Esophageal Cancer.

    David was born on March, 12, 1945 in Saginaw, Michigan, the son of George and Joyce (Weisner) Tennyson.

    David was raised and attended school in Northampton, Massachusetts and graduated from Northampton High School with the class of 1963.   He was a caring and respected older brother to Dale, Gale & Jane. He was the home-run star of the neighborhood playground, and later played on community softball teams for many years.

    He served his country during the Vietnam Conflict as a combat engineer, serving from 1965 to 1967.                                                         After his discharge he returned to Saginaw, Michigan where he met and married Ann Helen Stover in 1968.  They later moved to the Skagit Valley in 1972 where David worked in construction as a Union Laborer until he retired in 2004.   He then worked for the Mount Vernon School District doing grounds maintenance. He took pride in his work and enjoyed the staff and students; he again retired in 2010 and was known as “Cowboy Dave”.

    David was a loving father to his son Val, daughter Keri & foster daughter Kim;  he was also a father figure and devoted “papa” to his three granddaughters, Britney, Cheyann, and Alexiya.

    David was caring, generous, & funny, and he loved his Lord and wanted to share that love with others.  He loved his family, friends, & his church community, and they loved him.

   He was a “Cowboy” from early childhood, growing up with the cowboy hero’s of yester-year. Collecting was his passion, and he created a museum for displaying his treasures.  Like any true cowboy, he enjoyed entertaining an audience of all ages with his stories, humorous personality, & songs.

A favorite activity was rounding up a pair of boots and a cowboy hat to pass along to the children he met.

    David is survived by his five girls; his wife, Ann; his daughter, Keri, & his three granddaughters, Britney, Cheyann, and Alexiya; his brother, Dale Tennyson and wife Linda and sisters, Gale Ryznic and Jane Meyer, all from Massachusetts; two sisters-in-law, Bets Stover and husband John Murphy of Oregon  and Jaye Stover of Washington; two brothers-in-law, Jeff Stover, and Bert Stover and wife Teresa Holder and his mother-in-law, Dorothy Harding Stover, all of Washington,  and several nieces and nephews.

    David was preceded in death by his son, Val Tennyson; his mother, Joyce Tennyson, & father and mother-in-law, Jim & Dorothy Parr Stover.

    A special thanks to Dr. Mathey and all the staff at North Puget Cancer Center, who went the extra mile for Dave, and to all the caring staff of Hospice of the Northwest who walked us through this difficult time, and to our Visiting Angels’ June & Misty.

    In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the North Puget Cancer Center, 2000 Hospital Drive, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284.

    A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 4:00 PM at the North Cascade Christian Fellowship Church in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Steve Fish officiating.  Private inurnment was held at the Greenhills Cemetery in Burlington. 

Guestbook

  • Shelly,Shyann, Marissa Bryans

    We are so sorry to hear about Dave. The world has lost a great person. Dave would visit my store weekly, to shoot the breeze, update us on Allie, and to check out any new cowboy merchandise .We always looking forward to visiting with him,and hearing his great stories and adventures.He never met a stranger, and could have a conversation with anybody. Dave always brighten our day. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ann and the family.We will miss you Cowboy Dave.

  • Jerry and Tudie Wicke

    We have known David and Ann since our children were little in St Charles, MI. David was such a fun blessing for us for over 40 years. Both he and Ann have had a bright testimony in our lives. We will miss his smile and light and he leaves a hole in our lives. His faith will always be remembered through many hard times.We will be praying for God`s comfort for Ann and the girls as they face this grief changing time in their lives.

  • David Stover

    Ann,
    I was so saddened to learn of David’s passing, my heart goes out to you and your family during this difficult time. May God give you comfort in your time of grief.

  • Susan (Roberge) Loud

    From earliest memories I can recall David, as our parents socialized together when we were pre-schoolers. Through the years Dave was a classmate at various schools I attended throughout Northampton, then a fellow graduate of Northampton High School. It wasn’t until we visited at high school reunions that I really became aware of the depth of his character. It was clear he was a family man first and foremost – that he kept a positive, upbeat attitude regardless of the bumps in the road life threw his way. The world has lost an indomitable spirit who I am sure has left his mark in the hearts and lives of many.

  • Ricky Knue

    I am one of those very fortunate Mount Vernon High School staff members who was allowed to share time with this most gracious of spirits; Dave. Over the years he joyfully served our students with his generous smiles. He could be often easily spotted around campus with his cowboy hat on. He frequently could be observed leaning into one hip, wrists crossed atop the handle of his landscape tool, shoulders relaxed, and quietly conversing with a student who required a moment of his piercing presence and gentle understanding. The last time I saw him on campus, we exchanged a surprise hug and words of happiness to once again see each other, and offer each other words of encouragement. At the time I didn’t realize he was as ill as he was, but that last interaction reminds me of the wonderful consistent and open nature of his. I will personally miss ‘Cowboy’ Dave more than I am equipped to share right now. We can each aspire to live up to the extraordinary example of goodness his life represented, and to recognize the presence of the Divine within him. In Hawaii, the true definition of Aloha is ‘in the presence of Divine breath.’ Aloha, Dave. You are missed.

  • Raymond Tompkins

    Dave was a joy to have as a friend and a Christian brother. He spoke so lovingly and appreciatively for all his wonderful wife did for him. Ann, you made the most difficult times of his life bearable, and he always had nothing but praise for your loving care of him. Thank you Ann for your love for a man loved by so many of us. Dave was an amazing man. He wasn’t one to speak ill of others but rather was a positive influence for those of us blessed to have been close to him. His stories, his humor, and the person he was made him one lovable cowboy. He never lacked for things to say, and what he said was always entertaining. He was a man of true Christian character, and is already missed by his many friends.
    My prayers are for you Ann, and your family, as you struggle to adjust to your loss of your husband of many years.

  • Scott Metcalf

    Sorry to hear that Dave has passed. I lived next to Dave for about 20 years or so. Val and I were really good friends when growing up. Dave had a heart as big as Alaska. I remember when the Kingdome had the allstar game and Dave had plans to take Val and himself down for batting practice the day before the big game because it was open to the public for free. My cousin Jeff and I asked Val if we could go and with no hesitation Dave said yes. Driving down in his El-Camino, which by the way doesn’t seat 4 people. We had the best time and that is something that would never had happened if Dave wasn’t there. Taking me skiing with that family when he didn’t have to. I can’t say enough about him. Dave say hello to Val in heaven for me please. You both are missed.

  • David Conn

    I met you in 1987 when your son Val became one of my truest friends. Because of you I became a big time Louis L’Amour fan and all his work. I looked up to you and you were always the loving father and friend to all of us Kids. You will be greatly missed but NEVER FORGOTTEN Love ya Dave

  • Tony Sampson

    Dave, was nice having you stay with us at the Carriage House Inn. We enjoyed your stay. It was very great to have met you. Enjoy your final journeys! Until we meet again.

  • George @ Pamella (Tennyson ) Wright

    Well cowboy time to hang up those spurs and sit down with god, as he will have open arms for you.

    David and I played baseball and football as we were brought up on the same street. (State Street ) Northampton, Mass. We went to the same schools and had the same friends. David will always be in my heart and prayers. David was always considered family in my family as he broke bread with us many times. I will miss his stories and his friendship , but some day we will all meet.

    Love. Pam and Chuck.

  • Bob @ Nancy (tennyson0 Moriarty

    We will miss David very much and his stories that kept us on the edge of our seats.
    God will welcome him with open arms as David was a great family man and husband. He will truly be missed by all family members and friends that he has made throughout his whole life.

    God Bless. Bob and Nancy.

  • Kathy Kammenga

    Ann and family, I am so very sorry. Our thoughts are with all of you during this trying time. He was a great man. We are hoping the good memories will help you cope. Love, John and Kathy Kammenga

  • Vanoy Smith MD

    It was my pleasure to be a family doc for Dave and Ann for many years. We enjoyed talking a lot about travels and also the new work opportunity that Dave had with the school district. He loved the interaction with students. Those talks made me late for the next patients, so if any of you read this, forgive me, but it was time well spent! To Ann and all her children, my heartfelt wishes and prayers are offered. Vanoy Smith MD

  • George @ Pamella Wright

    David and I grew up in Northampton,Mass on State Street were we played baseball and football. We attended the same schools. David is one of my best friends and always will be. My wife and I visited David and Ann and enjoyed there company.My wife pam is Davids first cousin and she is very sad at the news that david passed away. David and Ann visited us at our home and we allways loved to hear david tell us about his adventures.
    David will always be in our hearts and prayers and will be missed. Our love goes out to Ann and I know she will always love David.

    Love and Prayers George and Pamella Wright.

  • Cerissa Crabb

    I will never forget the conversations we used to have about Spanish music. And when he told me he didn’t understand any of it but liked to listen to it. Glad he isn’t suffering anymore. My heart hurt because we have lost another great soul, m thoughts and prayers are with the family.

  • Kenneth Tennyson

    My Uncle Dave was indeed generous. This world has lost still one of its precious few gentle warriors who was always quick on the draw with a story to bring a smile to your face, and his countenance tho never dull, seemed to brighten one-thousand times when the name of his “little-Allie” was mearly mentioned in conversation. His granddaughters were indeed the source of the joy that he had in this earth – the proof that he made a worthy impact on this world in spite of the griefs that were his lot to endure. His life is a bright shining testement to the living Faith that he had. Only a man of such Faith could have been broken and and yet determined to continue on as he did. Now, he has received the reward for a life of Faithful and Hopful service to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
    – I hope that when my journey comes to an end, one will be able to say of me what I here proclaim of him:
    “He finished with Honor.”
    —Put the coffee on cowboy, I’ll be there as soon as I hang up my spers.