Obituary of Robert Tennyson

Robert (Bob) Lowell Tennyson was born on October 8, 1930 in Manistique, MI. He passed peacefully on August 8, 2021, attended by his wife. He was excited to join the military at the tender age of 17, following in the footsteps of his two big brothers. He served in the Army/Air Corps. When the Corp split, he chose to be in the United States Air Force. His expertise in communications lead him to be able to help set up Sembach Air Base in Germany, be part of the first missile launch at Cape Canaveral, and participate in many Space Program endeavors. Robert served his country in WWII, the Korea War and the Vietnam War. He made many friends throughout his service that he kept in touch with over the years. He retired in 1968. After his service in the military, Robert, affectionally known as “Shorty” joined AT&T as an electrician. He enjoyed his work there and the people he worked with. He retired after 20 years with the company. Robert and his wife, Bonnie, spent many summer vacations doing mission work while he worked at AT&T. After retirement, they were invited to do mission work in the Philippines, Honduras, and Guatemala. They jumped at the chance. Additionally, he served with Builders for Christ. They served as coordinators for Mansfield Mission, a mission church in downtown Bossier City for 20 years. He loved serving the Lord and helping people. That was what brought him the most joy. He is preceded in death by his parents, William Edgar Tennyson and Ethel Leola Gilroy Engel; brothers, William and James Tennyson, and sister, Betty Zook. He was also preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Kathy Tennyson Mercik. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Bonnie Mitchell Tennyson; daughters, Suzie Johnson-Hoefs and husband Mark, Jackie Williams and husband Craig, and Lisa Rago and husband Mike; grandchildren, Mike Mercik, Angel Heitter, Kris Mercik, Clint Johnson, Cameron Johnson, Zach Johnson, Jenny Baugh, Hailey Denton, and Austin Rago; great-grandchildren, Ted Mercik, Noah Mercik, Eli Mercik, Savanna Heitter, Madysen Heitter, Brayden Heitter, Easton Mercik, Hayden Keys, Kyleigh Keys, Caleb Johnson, Bowman Baugh, Duncan Baugh, and Chloe Denton. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to either, The Airline Baptist Church, Acts 1:8 Mission Fund https://onrealm.org/AirlineBaptist/-/give/now, or the Gideons International https://www.gideons.org/donate. The family would like to express our gratitude for the care, prayers and condolences of our friends, family and church family. Robert “Shorty” touched many lives and he will be greatly missed by all who had the honor and privilege of knowing this sweet man.