Neil H. Tennyson

Neil Harold Tennyson, 80, passed away shortly after midnight on December 23, 2017 at his home in Roscoe, Illinois surrounded by his family.  His death came after a prolonged illness with heart complications.   Neil was the l3th of l6 children born to Harold and Vinis Tennyson on June 5, l937 in Waukegan, Illinois.  

Neil was a barber in Waukegan, sharing a shop with brother Otto for a number of years.  When longer hair came into vogue for men, he left barbering and went into house painting and then moved on to Chicago to become the Property Maintenance Supervisor at the Salvation Army College for Officers Training.  Upon retiring, Neil and his wife moved to Flagler Beach, Florida and when his health became a problem moved to Roscoe to be near his son and family.
 
Neil loved horses and would often share stories of his childhood with his grandchildren. His dream was to attend the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas. He was an avid Chicago Bears and Cubbies fan. Neil enjoyed his grandchildren immensely from taking the girls on his golf cart for rides around the Salvation Army campus eating ice cream and cotton candy to hosting many of their birthday parties. He especially loved attending his grandsons' football, hockey and baseball games. Neil also loved his Christian gospel music along with sharing his deep Christian faith.

He is survived by son, Scott Tennyson; grandson, Zachary Tennyson; granddaughters, Caitlyn and Courtney Tennyson; two sisters, Marilyn Arnold and Dorthy Girdley; two brothers, Tim Tennyson and John Tennyson.  Neil is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gladys; son, Greg and 11 siblings.

The family would also like to thank Christa Balnius for all the wonderful care and support she provided to Neil.  Thank you to Kim Tennyson (former daughter-in-law) for her love and support to both Gladys and Neil over the years.

Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 6, 2018 in Hope Evangelical Church, 5656 Elevator Road, Roscoe 61073 with Major Mark Martsolf of The Salvation Army of Rockford officiating.

 Service Information