Tenney James Boyer

Tenney James Boyer was born an only child to Fred James and Erlene Tenney-Boyer in Decatur, Illinois on August 12th of 1932.

His first job was a newspaper delivery boy, delivering the papers via his bicycle house-to-house, except when Illinois weather was so cold that his mother had to drive him around to do his paper route.

Other jobs that he expressed fond memories of were when he worked at a gas station and later at a Pabst Blue Ribbon distillery.

He attended the University of Illinois and was a Delta Upsilon Fraternity Brother.

He was an Accounting major and found his niche in the world of long-haul trucking.

Directly following his graduation from the University of Illinois, he was drafted into the United States Navy (Active Duty). His first duty station was aboard the USS New Jersey (BB-62) where he worked in the Fire Control Division.

It is during his tour in the Navy that he met his bride-to-be, Olive Ann Tottle. He wedded Olive on April 12th, 1958. He was also an avid Scouter, seeing both of his sons achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

He loved Texas and western lore/history and his favorite singer/band was Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys.

He was a member of Saint Barnabas United Methodist Church and had many dear friends there.

Tenney’s beloved wife passed before him on September 24th, 2021 after 65 years of marriage.

Tenney and Ollie are survived by four children: Mark James and wife Diana Boyer, Deborah Ann and husband Robert Neal, Diane Erlene Rash, and William Frederic and wife Roben Boyer.

He has eleven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed and has gone to be with his wife and the Lord in Heaven.

A graveside service for Tenney will be held Thursday, December 28, 2023 from 10:15 AM to 10:30 AM at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211.