Alonzo M. Tenison Jr.

Surrounded by his loving family, Alonzo Marion Tenison, Jr. went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather and will be sadly missed by friends and family. He was 90 years old.

Lon was born in Florence, AL in 1927 to Alonzo M. Tenison and Margaret Bickley Tenison. The family soon returned to his father’s hometown of Nashville, TN where Lon lived his entire life. Being directly descended from Robert Cartwright, a founding father of Nashville and Capt. William Lytle, a founding father of Murfreesboro, made Lon so proud to call Nashville home. He was a local history buff, always eager to share stories about the city he loved.

Lon was educated in the public school system beginning first grade at Ransom Elementary School. He graduated in 1945 from West End High School where he was an athlete and member of Alpha Chi Fraternity. He continued his education down the street at Vanderbilt University graduating in 1949 with degrees in Accounting, Business and Mathematics. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

After being drafted and serving in the US Army, Lon returned to Nashville and joined the training program at General Shoe Company (Genesco) where he worked for 10 years. He was then employed by National Life and Accident Insurance Company (American General) as a Vice-President until his early retirement in 1983. He continued on as a self-employed Small Business Accounting Consultant for the next 25 years.

Lon was a life-long Presbyterian, serving as Treasurer, Deacon and Elder for a number of years at both Westminster and Downtown Presbyterian Church.

Lon was an avid golfer beginning his love of the game at his neighborhood McCabe Golf Course where he learned to play golf at an early age. He spent many days on the golf course with his buddies at Hillwood Country Club and Richland Country Club where he enjoyed playing and winning tournaments. Lon was an avid Vanderbilt sports fan, always eager to talk about baseball, basketball or football with anyone willing to listen.

A southern gentleman with impeccable manners, Lon was grateful for everything he had and was so happy to share what he had with others.

His family would like to thank his recent caregivers Celestine and Hattie B, along with Alive Hospice caregivers Penny, Peggy and David for their exceptional care, love and support. Some late night visits from the crew at Fire Dept. Station 17 are also very much appreciated.

Lon is survived by his wife Shirley Walne and their children Alonzo M. Tenison III (Chong), Edith T. Harlin (Dee) and Trudy T. Seay (Ed) and four grandsons Alex Dewitt Harlin III of Boulder, CO, Edward Richmond Seay III of Atlanta, GA, Andrew Read Seay of Nashville, TN, and Thomas Hughes Harlin, Atlanta, GA. Lon also leaves sister-in-law Joyce Walne Warner, brother-in-law James Austin Walne and his wife Sarah of Collierville, TN, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Nashville Humane Society, The Nashville Firefighters Union, Alive Hospice of Nashville, or Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, June 12, 2017 at 11 o’clock at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, followed by a visitation for family and friends from 3:00pm-5:00pm in the chapel (Northside) at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3900 West End Ave., Nashville, TN.