Wayne Lewis Tennison
February 17, 1938 – October 9, 2020
Wayne Lewis Tennison, 82, of Houston, Texas passed away peacefully on October 9, 2020 with his wife, Carolyn, of 44 years by his side.
Wayne was born on February 17, 1938 in Tulsa, OK to George Thomas Tennison and Caroline Lewis Tennison. The family moved to Houston during Wayne’s childhood. Wayne graduated from Lamar high school at the top of his class and went on to graduate from Rice University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1960. He then attended the University of Texas, and later graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1972. Wayne also served as a reservist in the United States Air Force and completed his tenure. He was employed by Harris County to design and engineer roads and bridges and retired in 1998 after 26 years of service. Wayne married Carolyn Lehmann on May 15, 1976 and they lived out their life serving their church in several capacities, he played his banjo in church and helped his wife with a bread ministry to welcome visitors to the church. He was a great banjo player and enjoyed playing with the Bayou Banjo Club and traveling to play his banjo with them. Wayne was also a licensed real estate agent and practiced real estate in his free time.
Wayne is proceeded in death by his parents, George and Caroline Tennison, and his brother George “Buddy” Tennison. Wayne is survived by his wife, Carolyn Lehmann Tennison of Houston and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale of the Heights for their compassionate care of Wayne in his final days.
Family and friends will gather and celebrate this wonderful man's life during a visitation at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 800 Houston, Ave. in Houston, where funeral services, led by Reverend Michael P. Dorn, Senior Pastor, will begin at 10:30 a.m. Graveside services and interment will follow at Forest Park Westheimer, also in Houston.
In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Wayne to the music ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church Downtown at 800 Houston Ave. Houston, TX 77002.
