James Richard “Jim” Tennison

James Richard “Jim” Tennison, 92, was born on Feb. 18, 1930, and passed away July 8 at the Missouri Veteran’s Home in Mt. Vernon. He married Mary Margarete Long on Feb. 2, 1952. To this union were born three daughters, Linda Redshaw of Purdy, Mary (John) Tyhurst of Kingwood, Texas, Darlene Champion of Monett, and one son Kenneth Lee Tennison. Other survivors include a sister, Helen Nicklas, 27 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and a host of friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, Ella and Lowell Tennison, wife Mary, his siblings Roberta Turgeon, Barbara Daniels, and George Tennison, his infant son Kenneth Lee Tennison, and his grandson Matt Tyhurst.
Tennison enlisted to serve in the U.S. Army and traveled to Japan at the age of 16. He was a stitcher for many years at the Vaisey-Bristol Shoe Factory in Monett until he opened his own business, Jim’s Boot and Shoe Repair. He and his wife Mary also owned and operated Quality Window Manufacturing, Inc., for more than 27 years. He was a cattle farmer and served in a variety of capacities as a lifelong member of the Temple Baptist Church which he helped to establish and build.
Funeral services were held under the direction of the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home. Family and friends  came and went on Tuesday evening at the funeral home until 7:30 p.m. Family visitation was held at the Temple Baptist Church, 1105 Sycamore in Monett, at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 13. The funeral service followed at 11 a.m. and was available via live streaming at the church’s Facebook page. Interment  followed at the Kings Prairie Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kings Prairie Cemetery Fund, C/O Raymond Priest, 1500 E. Sycamore, Monett.