Tenel Jordan Tayar

February 5, 1930 – November 20, 2018

After 88 blessed years, Tenel Jordan Tayar passed away on November 20, 2018, at his home in The Woodlands, Texas. Tenel was born February 5, 1930, in Healdton, Oklahoma, to Frank (Ferris) and Emily (Nasra) Massad Tayar. He attended and graduated from Healdton public schools. He attended and graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Engineering. While attending the University of Oklahoma, Tenel served in the ROTC and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after graduation. He was stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, for two years on active duty and served overseas in South Korea.

Tenel’s service to our country continued in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1965. During his 13 years of service, he was, again, called into active duty in 1961 to make a VIP/public relations tour of East and West Germany and Berlin during the Berlin crisis. Upon honorable discharge, Tenel finished with the rank of Major.

After returning from South Korea in 1954, Tenel worked for Sohio Petroleum for two years. He then returned to Healdton to co-manage the family business, the E. Tayar Store, with his sister Marguerite. He was involved in community activities such as president of the Healdton Chamber of Commerce and President and Treasurer of the Healdton Lions Club. He was awarded Citizen of the Year in 1967.

Tenel also served on the Healdton Advisory Committee Hospital Board as chairman and was instrumental in building a hospital for Healdton. Tenel also served on the Southern Oklahoma Development Association which was instrumental in constructing the Healdton Municipal Lake for surface water supply for the city.

His entire life, Tenel was committed to his faith and the United Methodist Church where he served in Healdton in the capacity of chairman of the church council, treasurer and other positions. Despite growing up during the Great Depression and losing his father at eight years old, Tenel earned 13 years of perfect church attendance.

The highlight of Tenel’s life was the pursuit and marriage to Maha Bayoud on March 8, 1969, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Tenel and Maha were married for 49 loving years. They have two sons, Tenel Habib Tayar and William Jordan Tayar.

Tenel is preceded in death by his parents Emily and Frank Tayar; his sisters Zeek Tayar, Josephine Tayar Aboussie, Edith Tayar Beal, Marjory Tayar Saied, and Marguerite Tayar; and his brothers Joe Tayar and Ernie Tayar. He is survived by his wife Maha Bayoud Tayar; his brother Fred Tayar, his sons Tenel H. Tayar and William J. Tayar; his grandchildren Mia Tayar, Jordan Tayar, and Samuel Tayar; and numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Tenel led is life with honesty, integrity, and unconditional love. He lived a faithful life centering all things on family as a devoted son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, and friend who touched the lives of everyone around him in a kind, unique and special way. Through his quiet action, Tenel showed the depth of his faith, love and kindness to all who encountered him. His life is a testament to his love of God, family and community.

The family will host visitation of Tenel at Forest Park - The Woodlands Funeral Home at 18000 Interstate 45 S, The Woodlands, TX 77384 from 5pm to 8pm on Friday, November 23, 2018. The funeral for Tenel will be at The Woodlands United Methodist Church at 2200 Lake Woodlands Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380 at 2:00 pm on November 24, 2018, with Reverend Rob Renfro officiating.

Tenel’s interment will be at Rosehill Cemetery at 1604 C St SE, Ardmore, OK 73401, with a graveside service at 11:00 am on November 26, 2018. Interment at Rose Hill Cemetery in Ardmore will be under the direction of Craddock Funeral Home with Reverend David Daniel officiating.

Pallbearers will be Joe Tayar, Mark Tayar, Fred Tayar II, Elby Beal, Glen Mitchell, and Kenny Aboussie

The family requests that donations in Tenel’s memory to be directed to:

• Healdton First United Methodist Church, 668 5th Street, Healdton, OK 73438

• The Woodlands United Methodist Church, 2200 Lake Woodlands Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380

• The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851

• St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105

The epitome of Tenel’s life is depicted in the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words when necessary.”