Jerry L. Tennant

Jerry Lee Tennant, 72, of Cambridge passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at his home with his loving family at his bedside. Jerry was born on January 12, 1942 in Alma, Michigan. He was the son of the late Alvin and Ula Sanders Tennant.

On September 1, 1960, he married the late Cleona Mills Tennant. He attended St. Louis High School in St. Louis, Michigan. In May of 1959, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country on active duty on the USS Kitty Hawk until December of 1962 at which time he transferred to the United States Naval Reserves and served until May 1965. Over the years, Jerry was employed by Hills Electric Motors and he opened his own business, Bay Country Electric Motors in Federalsburg. Jerry was employed at the Dorchester County Department of Corrections (Detention Center) from July 1993 until the time of his retirement in June of 2006.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, going to NASCAR events and rooting for Jeff Gordon (please don't hold that against him). He also enjoyed showing off his restored 1987 Chevy pickup truck, which he received numerous awards and trophies for putting on car shows to benefit Breast Cancer. In his younger years, he enjoyed bowling on a couples and men's league, where he received trophies and awards for his high averages and games. He enjoyed the competiveness of racing a stock car at Delmar International Speedway. Jerry also enjoyed fishing, crabbing and spending time on the water with family and buddies and especially telling big fish tales. In his spare time he played softball on a men's league and coached a women's softball team.

He was a life member of the local VFW and a member of the Ruritan Club. He also enjoyed deer hunting with his family and close friends. This year was especially memorable for him; he bagged three deer including a 10 point buck. In the last few years of his life, he was blessed to have reconnected with an old high school sweetheart, after 54 years. They enjoyed the short time they had together catching up on years passed. She was at his bedside when he passed.

He is survived by a son Jimmy Tennant and his fiancee Debbie Barrow, a daughter Marian Grafton and husband Dennis, grandchildren Whitney Grafton, Zach Grafton, Zed Grafton, Wayne Hearn and Andrew Barrow and a great granddaughter Amelia Schuyler. He is also survived by a brother Jack Tennant and wife Carol of St. Louis, Michigan, two nephews Ron Tennant and his family of St. Louis, Michigan and Rob Tennant and his family of Minneapolis, MN. Besides his parents and his wife, Jerry was preceded in death by an infant brother Jimmy Lynn Tennant.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Tennant, Dennis Grafton, Zach Grafton, Zed Grafton, Wayne Hearn, Andrew Hearn, Charlie Price and John Grafton.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 12:30 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge with Pastor Jack Diehl officiating. Interment will follow at the Maryland Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery near Hurlock. Family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Memorial contributions can be made to the Coastal Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802.