Charlie Tennant

     Leonard Charles “Charlie” Tennant was a loving husband, father, brother, and held the title of favorite uncle. He fought a courageous battle with Lung cancer which he was diagnosed with a year ago.

     This was a man who would not let it get him down, but would be first to admit that if it was not for his loving wife Leslie, he could have never had made it as long as he did. This was the love of his life for 48 years, and the mother of his 2 children Jason, and Andy, which he would say were greatest gift and cause of most his grey hair. Charlie was the youngest child of Bill and Jessie Tennant.

     Being the baby of the family had lots of advantages, his brothers and sisters would welcome him into their established families with love and kindness, and having nieces and nephews the same age led to lots of playing companions. Having such closeness with his siblings also lead to being the favorite uncle. There wasn't a family gathering that the nieces didn't compete to see who could cook Charlie the perfect pan of homemade Macaroni and Cheese. If that pan wasn't present, he held no reserve in shaming whoever he could so the next event he had even more. He loved his brothers and sisters very much and would do whatever he could to help them out. Even if it meant taking his blind brother Bob deer hunting, or suffering a BSU game to make his sister happy, and let his brother gloat when TCU won. Charlie was pretty happy when his grandson decided to go to Idaho (Go Vandals).

     Charlie is survived by his 2 sons, and 4 grandchildren. Charlie was a man who chose his family over everything. He sacrificed so much in his younger years to provide his family with all the time he could. He coached his kids in Baseball, basketball, and even soccer which he knew absolutely nothing about. There were late nights of hunting for night crawlers so that on the weekends he could travel the state taking his boys to swim meets. He continued to follow his boys to sporting events through their high school years critiquing officials all along the way. In his later years it, his grandkids were the apple of his eye. He loved traveling to watch Caleb and Sawyer play football. He wouldn't miss a game. He made sure grandma had her stadium chair in just the right spot to yell at officials. His granddaughter Trinity could talk him into anything whether it be long 4-wheeler rides or playing school in the living room. He never did make it out of kindergarten. He loved watching her and all the other performers of Ovation dance academy do their spring and fall dance recitals. He was so proud of her on stage, knowing no one else in our family had the courage to dance in the spotlight. He didn't get to visit his granddaughter Ainsley much but he loved her none the less.

     Charlie married his one true love on January 20, 1973. He is survived by his wife Leslie (White)Tennant, who stood by his side till the end. She was his rock, making sure he took his medications or measured his oxygen counts. She referred to herself as “the old nag” but to him she was his life. She was the only person who could get through to him, and he had the upmost respect for her. He taught his boys to never disrespect Mom, or there were serious consequences. That still resonates to this day. He always said that she was the glue that held his family together.

     A graveside funeral service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery, at 11:00 a.m. on August 19, 2021 in Gooding. The graveside service will be officiated by family friend Pastor Dick Goetsch of Jerome, Idaho.

      For anyone who would like to make memorial contributions please make them to the Gooding Senior Center in Charlie’s Name. He loved their breakfast.

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