March 12, 1950 - May 9, 2025
Donald Ellsworth Tenney, Jr., 75, of Bristow, passed away on Friday, May 9, 2025, in Tulsa. He was born on March 12, 1950, in Painesville, Ohio, to Donald Ellsworth and Louise (Parson) Tenney, Sr.
On June 25, 2001, Donald was united in marriage to Wanita Louise “Lou” Egan in Miami, Oklahoma. Together, they shared a life filled with love, dedication, and memorable moments.
Donald proudly served his country in the United States Army, stationed in Killeen, Texas, for over three years. He served as a mechanic in the military motor pool and was a sharpshooter with the First Cavalry, achieving the rank of Major before his honorable discharge in 1975. Following his military service, Donald and his family settled in Elkhorn, Nebraska, where they welcomed their son, James Tenney. There he owned and operated an automotive business. In 1989, he relocated to Bristow, where he continued working as a gifted auto mechanic until the closure of his shop in 1994. He later moved to Texas in 2004 and eventually returned to Bristow in 2015 to enjoy his retirement years.
Donald had a passion for fixing things, there wasn’t much he couldn’t repair.
He loved watching baseball and found great joy in fishing, especially with his wife Lou and daughter Tina. While living in Omaha, he was active in the Shriners and Masons. One of the highlights of his life was being part of a sponsored pit crew with his daughter, Tina, working on stock cars, including those of racer Marcus Rodriguez. Don is survived by his wife: Louise “Lou”, of the home; one daughter, Tina Howard and husband Nathan, of Depew; two grandson: Joshua Woods and wife Brittany,of Pryor, and Jeremy Woods and wife Casey, of Depew; three great grandchildren: Sabastian Woods, Olivia Woods, Kye Woods; one step-daughter: Lori Alexander of Bartlesville; three sisters: Gail Vacarro and husband Frank of Methuen Town, Massachusetts, Trudy Hendricks of Manford, , and Cheryl Gerber of Staunton, Illinois.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents; one son, James Tenney; and one brother, Randal Tenney; and one stepson Tom Alexander.
No services are planned at this time. Cremation arrangements are under the care of Locust Grove Funeral Home. You may leave thoughts, memories, and condolences at www.Locust-GroveFuneralHome.com.