Charles Albert Tennant, Jr., age 93, left his earthly home on Friday, September 10, 2010. He and his wife, Erbis Washington Tennant, had been married for over 63 years. Visitation will be held Sunday, September 12th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Townsend Brothers Funeral Home in Dublin. The funeral will be held at Dublin First United Methodist Church on Monday, September 13 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Dublin Memorial Gardens. Drs. Rick Mitchell, Jack Key, and Bob Williams will officiate. Charles was born on his familys farm in Tennant, Alabama, on December 19, 1916. Once he finished high school in Wedowee, Alabama, it was his desire to attend veterinary school at Auburn University but he could not afford the tuition. So, along with his elder brother, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1936. Not long after the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, he boarded the USS Portland (which he fondly referred to as the Sweet Pea), where he spent the early years of World War II, participating in the pivotal Battle of Midway and the Battle of Coral Sea, in addition to landing Marines at Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Charles received a special citation for bravery and resourcefulness in performing emergency repairs to his ship in the midst of stormy, German U-boat infested waters. After 11 years of exemplary service, he left the Navy as a Chief Machinist Mate in March 1947. Charles and Erbis were married in Wedowee, Alabama, in May 1947. They moved to Dublin in 1950, when Charles was hired to work at the Veterans Administration Hospital. After 29 years, he retired from his position as Assistant to the Chief Engineer in 1979. Full-time retirement was not to his liking, however, and he went to work as an estimator with Garbutt Construction Company in Dublin for several years, retiring a second time in 1987. Charles and Erbis have been very active for many years in their local church body, Dublins First United Methodist. Charles also mentored young men as a Boy Scout troop leader during the 1950s, as well as serving on the Dublin City Council and as mayor pro-tem. Charles loved his wife and family, he followed the Lord, and he was proud of his role in defending his homeland during World War II. He and Erbis attended reunions all over the U.S., reconnecting with former shipmates. He was a member of the American Legion Post 17 for over 60 years. Charles was diligent in providing for his family and sharing with others, using his God-given abilities to maintain abundant vegetable gardens and blueberry bushes. Many have affectionately called him the blueberry man. In addition to his wife Erbis, three daughters survive Charles: Julia Petrides, Doris Tennant, and Betty Hudgins (Greg). He was predeceased on June 13 of this year by his son-in-law of forty years, George Petrides. He was a much-loved Granddaddy to eleven: Christina Petrides, Sarah Petrides (George Martins), David Petrides (Charlotte), Michael Petrides, Corina Tennant, Hannah Tennant-Moore, Bethany Foley (Josh), Daniel Duke (Charity), Nathan Duke, Lauren DeLay, and Stephen Hudgins. He was also the proud Great-Granddaddy of three: Julia Martins, Jay Martins, and Jacob Foley. Two of Charless sisters also survive: Sara Benefield and Mary Jane Shumate. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Friendship Sunday School Class. Serving as pallbearers will be David Petrides, Michael Petrides, Daniel Duke, Nathan Duke, Gerald Weaver, and Dr. Nelson Carswell. The family suggests memorial gifts to the Renovation Project of First United Methodist Church or to the donors favorite charity. The Tennant family would like to express sincere appreciation to the many friends and caregivers who have provided prayerful support, particularly over the last several months, as Charles fought a courageous battle with Alzheimers dementia. While his death leaves deep sadness for us, we are grieving with hope, knowing that he is now truly AT HOME in heaven.