Obituary of Donald Keith Tennyson

Donald Keith Tennyson was born on August 1, 1941, in Middlesboro, Kentucky. He was one of five children born to Roy and Juanita (Justice) Tennyson. At the age of six, Don moved with his family to Dundee, Michigan where he graduated from the high school with the Class of 1959. A talented athlete, Don lettered in basketball and still holds the record for most points scored in a single game for the Dundee High School basketball team.

On July 28, 1962, Donald wed the love of his life, the former Sarah Rose Widener. Together they were blessed with three children. To provide for his family Don worked as retail supervisor at Mid-State Petroleum for twenty-three years. He was later employed as a laborer at Mirror Lite Company for eight years before finally retiring in 2008.

A sports fanatic, Don played in several softball leagues in Milan, Michigan. He also coached little league baseball when his children were young and never missed his grandchildren’s games. Don and his wife enjoyed watching sports together with the pair rarely missing a baseball game. In their younger days, the couple participated in a mixed bowling league together. They also enjoyed travel, spending time in Hawaii to celebrate their 25^th wedding anniversary in 1987 and often visiting extended members of the Tennyson family down South.

Don enjoyed watching old-time Western movies on television and playing along with the game show “Jeopardy”. He’d read anything pertaining to sports. As a young man, he loved boating around the lake and casting out a line in hopes of reeling in a fish. He had a great sense of humor and would talk to anyone. His matter-of-fact outlook on life made him great at dispensing advice.

Donald Keith Tennyson, age 81, of Monroe, joined his wife in heaven on Tuesday; February 28, 2023, after a brief illness. His passing was preceded by his parents: Roy and Juanita Tennyson; his wife of more than sixty years: Sarah Rose Tennyson; an infant granddaughter: Kristen; one sister: JoAnn Spaulding; two brothers: Roy Tennyson Jr. and Bob Tennyson; his father in-law: Charles Widener Sr.; and his mother in-law: Marjorie Cravner.

To cherish his memory, he leaves three children: Brian (Julie) Tennyson of Pinckney, Michigan, Scott (Judy) Tennyson of Clinton Township, Michigan, and Shana Hayter (Thomas Moore) of Monroe; eight grandchildren: Nathan, Shelby, and Alyssa Tennyson, Tricia and Natalie Tennyson, and Kylie (Pete Rendina), Kobi, and Cade Hayter; two step-grandsons: Thomas (Brynt) Ellis-Moore IV and Zak Moore; five great grandchildren: Adalynn, twins, Vincent and Melody, Blake, and Enzo; one sister: Wanda (Williard) Butler; three sisters in-law: Linda Tennyson, Mary Tennyson, and Linnice Razook; and two brothers-in-law: William Charles Widener and Burton Spaulding.

Friends may gather on Friday; March 10, 2023, from 3:00pm until 6:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734) 529-3156. A Celebration of His Life will begin at 6:00pm also at Merkle’s with Pastor Roy Southerland officiating. Cremation will follow through the on-site crematory, Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan.

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