We had just celebrated my Grandpa's 90th birthday on Jan. 22nd. He had been striving to hit 90 and we were all so happy to celebrate with him! He gathered us all around like he always did and told us how much he loved us and that we were the most precious thing in his life. Only about 3 weeks later, we got a call saying that he had been taken by ambulance to the hospital because he had a gastrointestinal bleed and stroke and was probably not going to make it. We got to come to his bedside and hold his hand and say goodbye. He died about 3 days later. No words can describe the kind of person my grandpa was. He honestly made everyone feel like they were the most amazing person in the world and you were the most important person to him at that moment. I hope to be more like him. He called me "his little Timp climber" whenever he saw me. When he was 70 and I was 11, we hiked mount Timpanogos together. At the saddle which is a lookout point about a mile from the top I was so tired and just wanted to quit. Grandpa wouldn't let me and told me I would regret it. He kept pushing me until we both reached the summit. He was so proud of me and never let me forget that it was the 70 year old pushing the 11 year old up the mountain! haha He will always have a special place in my heart and I miss him so much already. Here is the obituary that my dad wrote:
Clive Vorris Tenney
On Sunday morning, February 12, 2012 our dear father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, C. Vorris Tenney was called home following a tragic stroke in American Fork, UT.
Vorris was born on 1/22/22 in Thatcher, AZ to Clive Vernon and Minnie Williams Tenney. At age 2, the family moved to San Diego, CA, where Vorris attended Hoover High School and San Diego St. College. Here he established his love of physics and mathematics. His studies were interrupted by America's entry into WWII, and he enthusiastically enlisted as a naval aviator and flew Catalina PBY's in the South Pacific from 1943 to the end of the war. While on leave at home, Vorris met the love of his life, Marian Francis, at a church dance and they were married in the Logan, UT LDS Temple. After the war, he returned to his studies, graduated, and began teaching physics and math at La Jolla High School. After 2 years teaching, he was hired by the Naval Electronics Lab in Pt. Loma as an electrical engineer, and the family settled in the San Diego suburb of El Cajon.
Vorris was valiant in LDS Church service throughout his life, and served in numerous leadership positions, including bishop of the El Cajon 2nd Ward, president of the San Diego East Stake, and director of the LDS Student Assoc. throughout Southern Calif. Following his retirement, he received the call he cherished most, president of the Arkansas Little Rock Mission from 1981 to 1984. Upon returning home, he and Marian decided to move to Bountiful UT to be nearer their girls, Marian's family, and to many of the missionaries they had come to love so much in Arkansas. There, Vorris was called to be a sealer in the Salt Lake Temple, and subsequently in the Bountiful and Mt. Timpanogos Temples. He was privileged to perform weddings for his children, grandchildren, and numerous Arkansas missionaries, among the thousands of others he sealed.
Vorris is survived by his sweetheart of 66 years, Marian, and 6 loving children: Michael (Diane), Elaine Wright (Lowell, dec,), Steven (Laurie), Richard (Tina), Carolyn McDonald (Alan), and Kathleen Martella (Jeff). He also leaves behind 22 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren who loved and cherished him. He was preceded in death by his sisters Mildred Handy, Maxine Winsor, and Geraldine Nelson, and his brother Keith.
His life was one of love for his family and the gospel, and one of devoted church service. He truly loved everyone and tried to uplift all those he came in contact with. He loved music and enjoyed singing with Marian at every opportunity. He also had a passion for the world of science and spent many hours in his later years developing his thoughts on the interrelationship of science and religion, and loved to discuss them with all who would listen. We miss you Dad. We'll take care of your stash of dark chocolate.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 21st at 11:00 AM in the American Fork 4th Ward building at 455 E. 300 N. A public viewing will be held on Monday evening 2/20/12 from 6PM - 8 PM at the Warenski Funeral Home located at 1776 N. 900 E. American Fork, UT 84003. A public viewing will also be held frpm 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM prior to the funeral at the American Fork 4th Ward Chapel.
C. Vorris Tenney, Naval Aviator, WWII
My grandparents on their honeymoon in Utah
James has his ironman race coming up in a few weeks and he definitely needed a new bike to help in that venture. His old bike was almost 8 years old which is a dinosaur in bike years. I am so proud of him for all the hard work he has put into this race, and can't wait to see him put all of his effort in on race day!
Claire is officially obsessed with Dora. She loves her just like my boys. Dora has a magical power over my children!
Carter just got enrolled in lacrosse and has been loving it! Other sports he played and enjoyed, but lacrosse gets him so excited. He is sad when its not a day for practice or a game. I'm happy to see him so excited about something.
Melanie gave me all of her son Chase's baby clothes and in one of the bags was this binky. Claire soon fell in love with it and carried it around and in her mouth all day. So funny. It was only for a day so no worries!
How cute are these little flip flops? I saw them at Target and had to get them for Claire! I just love having a girl. I can't help it!
But how can I not love these two little cuties just as much. Oh man, my kids are awesome. I am such a blessed mom.
Claire loves to play with my glasses and lipgloss. I also can't have gum in my purse or it will soon be gone. Little stinker!
One day while we were just having a lounging day at home, Preston got this costco box and made himself a bed for the day. He loved watching a movie in it.
James got the hookup again for BYU games, this time basketball so we have had lots of fun going to the games as a family or bringing my dad and other extended family. Go cougars!
For family night one night, we decided to do the recipe from the Friend magazine for these CTR (Choose the Right) pretzels. Lots of fun!
This last photo was taken on Monday at the new Neptune park in Saratoga Springs. So cool and lots of fun playing with their cousin Ryan. I love this weather!!
