Nov 23, 2017

James Newton “Jim” Tennant, 86, of Mt. Morris, died Thursday, November 23, 2017, in his home.

He was born August 6, 1931, in Blacksville, a son of the late Jasper C. “Joner” Tennant and Essie Mae Rose Tennant.

Mr. Tennant was a member of Mt. Morris Gospel Tabernacle Assembly of God Church.

He was a member of Mt. Morris Volunteer Fire Department, joining in 1952 and serving as a trustee for a term. He was also a charter member of Mt. Morris Area Lions Club, serving as president for a term. Mr. Tennant was a member of Masonic Lodge 153 F&AM, Waynesburg, since 1976, and was a member of Gourgas Lodge of Perfection, Valley of Pittsburgh and Shriners of Pittsburgh.

Mr. Tennant was associated with Cedar Grove Cemetery for 52 years, digging graves, selling plots and serving as vice-president of the cemetery association. He was instrumental in the establishment of the perpetual care for Blacksville Cemetery and served on the board there for several years.

In 1960, he became sole owner of Tennant Vault Co. in Mt. Morris, which he owned and operated for 33 years. He also worked for Mt. Morris Water and Sewage Authority, doing all the repairs and installing the lot hookups from the house to the main sewer line.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Lee Cooper Tennant, whom he married August 4, 1951; a son, James W. “Jimmy” Tennant and companion Kelly Renee Virgin of Mt. Morris; a daughter, Sheila Kay and husband Gilbert Paul “Butch” Phillips II of Mt. Morris; six grandsons, Ryan and wife Tara Miller, Zackery and wife Kristen Phillips, Kolbi Phillips and significant other Erica Pifer, Zachary McGinnis and significant other Emily Hainzer, J.C. Tennant and Jacob Robert Tennant; four great-grandchildren, Haden Miller, Dylan Miller, Ella Miller and Lenex Phillips; a brother, Herbert and wife Joni Tennant of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews. Also surviving are Jeanette Phillips, Lauren Virgin and Hannah Virgin, whom he thought of as granddaughters.

Deceased are a daughter-in-law, Rebecca Jane Tennant; four brothers; and six sisters.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Milliken and Throckmorton Funeral Home Inc., Daryl L. Throckmorton, owner/director, 324 Mt. Morris Road, P.O. Box 478, Mt. Morris, PA 15349. An additional visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., the time of service, Monday, November 27, in Mt. Morris Gospel Tabernacle Assembly of God, 103 School Road, Mt. Morris, PA 15349, with the Rev. John Jackson, the Rev. Fred Tomlinson and the Rev. Don Campbell officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Mt. Morris.

Additional information is available at www.milliken-throckmortonfh.com.