Lawrence Arthur Tener started his life on 4 October 1947 in San Joaquin County, California. Larry was the oldest of four boys born to Florence and Arthur. During his formative years he lived and went to school s in Stockton, San Andreas and Angels Camp. Larry loved San Andreas and always considered here his home. It was such a great place for a kid to grow up. He loved to fish, play with Charlie the donkey, pan for gold with his ‘Gramps” in the creek behind his grandparents’ house, work on cars, play music, have fun with friends and torment his brothers Jon, Pat and Jim. After all, he was the oldest and as he would tell anybody that would listen, he was also the most handsome.
While in high school, Bret Harte High School in Angels Camp, Larry played football. He played well, as Quarterback he set school records that stood for some time. He finished his senior at Lincoln High School, again as quarterback on the football team.
When Larry was 17, his life changed dramatically. The Viet Nam War was in progress and Larry decided to join the United states Air Force after he graduated from high School in June 1965, literally leaving school and the following Monday going to the induction center in Oakland, California.
Larry’s career in the Air Force would span 23 years which included several tours in the Viet Nam and Thailand theaters. Larry enjoyed his service in the Air Force, most notable his time with the 16th Special Operations Squadron flying with the SPECTRE gunships based in Thailand. He had some harrowing stories to tell about his experiences aboard the gunships. Larry was awarded the Air Force Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters for gallantry and meritorious service. His service tours also included being stationed in the Netherlands as a nuclear weapons technician and as a flight line crew chief for the A-10 aircraft at Pease AFB in New Hampshire. Larry retired from the service as a Master Sergeant. He was very proud of his long career in the Air Force, and during that time Larry made lifelong friends, as seen by the presence of them at his grave side services.
Larry was the type of guy that when he walked into a room, he immediately became your friend. He loved his family and friends unconditionally and would help anybody at the drop of a hat. It is said that Larry inherited his love for corny jokes from his Dad and he always had a joke for anyone that would listen. His love of cars, especially Corvettes, was far surpassed by his love of music. Those who had the privilege of hearing Larry play the blues on one of his many guitars or his keyboard skills on his Hammond Organ said that he was an outstanding musician.
During Larry’s Celebration of Life we learned that while he was stationed in Thailand, during a leave from the base, he went into town and located a venue where he could walk in, go on stage and play his guitar. He was a self-taught musician. When in high school he still could not read music, but he could play with passion – apparently having such a good ear for the music he could play very well. He started a band in high school.
Music was such a part of Larry that he took a ‘break’ from his career in the Air Force, after about six or eight years in, and with a band he toured mostly in the U.S. The band included friends from his high school days, and from the Air Force. He forged lifelong friendships – for instance (and his close friends will attest to this one, “Montana Dan”).
Perhaps finding himself ‘floating’, he returned to complete a career in the Air Force. He would serve just over twenty three years before retiring.
Larry’s time in the service took him all over the world but the one thing that was a constant for him, and that he took everywhere with him, were the memories and pictures of his family: his parents, grandparents, brothers, cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends, a few even from grade school in San Andreas.
The plain and simple truth: Larry loved life! He loved his home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and it can’t be said enough how much he loved his family and friends. He was especially close to his brothers and loved to talk about football, cars and racing, and politics with them.
Larry lived his life the way he wanted. He truly enjoyed sitting outside his house, just a quarter mile from the white sand beach of Fort Walton, with modern fighter jets and the thundering Hercules aircraft from nearby Eglin and Hurlburt Air Force bases flying overhead, a beer and a cigarette in hand, music playing, friends dropping by for a chat and watching the world go by.
The one thing that Larry would say to all of you listening (attending his Celebration of Life) is: Don’t be down, just have a good time!
Larry died in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He had battled the cancer that ultimately took his life. Perhaps the results of cigarettes and / or exposure to Agent Orange.
A reading from John 14: 1 – 4
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
EPILOGUE - - - When his father retired Larry came for the celebration. When his brother turned fifty, Larry came to celebrate. He purchased a new Corvette following his father's retirement, and returned home by driving the iconic interstate highway "Route 66" from Southern California to Chicago. Larry married three times - one of his ex-wife's, Gaye was by his side the last six weeks of his life.
"GET YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE 66"
While in high school, Bret Harte High School in Angels Camp, Larry played football. He played well, as Quarterback he set school records that stood for some time. He finished his senior at Lincoln High School, again as quarterback on the football team.
When Larry was 17, his life changed dramatically. The Viet Nam War was in progress and Larry decided to join the United states Air Force after he graduated from high School in June 1965, literally leaving school and the following Monday going to the induction center in Oakland, California.
Larry’s career in the Air Force would span 23 years which included several tours in the Viet Nam and Thailand theaters. Larry enjoyed his service in the Air Force, most notable his time with the 16th Special Operations Squadron flying with the SPECTRE gunships based in Thailand. He had some harrowing stories to tell about his experiences aboard the gunships. Larry was awarded the Air Force Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters for gallantry and meritorious service. His service tours also included being stationed in the Netherlands as a nuclear weapons technician and as a flight line crew chief for the A-10 aircraft at Pease AFB in New Hampshire. Larry retired from the service as a Master Sergeant. He was very proud of his long career in the Air Force, and during that time Larry made lifelong friends, as seen by the presence of them at his grave side services.
Larry was the type of guy that when he walked into a room, he immediately became your friend. He loved his family and friends unconditionally and would help anybody at the drop of a hat. It is said that Larry inherited his love for corny jokes from his Dad and he always had a joke for anyone that would listen. His love of cars, especially Corvettes, was far surpassed by his love of music. Those who had the privilege of hearing Larry play the blues on one of his many guitars or his keyboard skills on his Hammond Organ said that he was an outstanding musician.
During Larry’s Celebration of Life we learned that while he was stationed in Thailand, during a leave from the base, he went into town and located a venue where he could walk in, go on stage and play his guitar. He was a self-taught musician. When in high school he still could not read music, but he could play with passion – apparently having such a good ear for the music he could play very well. He started a band in high school.
Music was such a part of Larry that he took a ‘break’ from his career in the Air Force, after about six or eight years in, and with a band he toured mostly in the U.S. The band included friends from his high school days, and from the Air Force. He forged lifelong friendships – for instance (and his close friends will attest to this one, “Montana Dan”).
Perhaps finding himself ‘floating’, he returned to complete a career in the Air Force. He would serve just over twenty three years before retiring.
Larry’s time in the service took him all over the world but the one thing that was a constant for him, and that he took everywhere with him, were the memories and pictures of his family: his parents, grandparents, brothers, cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends, a few even from grade school in San Andreas.
The plain and simple truth: Larry loved life! He loved his home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and it can’t be said enough how much he loved his family and friends. He was especially close to his brothers and loved to talk about football, cars and racing, and politics with them.
Larry lived his life the way he wanted. He truly enjoyed sitting outside his house, just a quarter mile from the white sand beach of Fort Walton, with modern fighter jets and the thundering Hercules aircraft from nearby Eglin and Hurlburt Air Force bases flying overhead, a beer and a cigarette in hand, music playing, friends dropping by for a chat and watching the world go by.
The one thing that Larry would say to all of you listening (attending his Celebration of Life) is: Don’t be down, just have a good time!
Larry died in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He had battled the cancer that ultimately took his life. Perhaps the results of cigarettes and / or exposure to Agent Orange.
A reading from John 14: 1 – 4
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
EPILOGUE - - - When his father retired Larry came for the celebration. When his brother turned fifty, Larry came to celebrate. He purchased a new Corvette following his father's retirement, and returned home by driving the iconic interstate highway "Route 66" from Southern California to Chicago. Larry married three times - one of his ex-wife's, Gaye was by his side the last six weeks of his life.
"GET YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE 66"
Lawrence Arthur Tener started his life on 4 October 1947 in San Joaquin County, California. Larry was the oldest of four boys born to Florence and Arthur. During his formative years he lived and went to school s in Stockton, San Andreas and Angels Camp. Larry loved San Andreas and always considered here his home. It was such a great place for a kid to grow up. He loved to fish, play with Charlie the donkey, pan for gold with his ‘Gramps” in the creek behind his grandparents’ house, work on cars, play music, have fun with friends and torment his brothers Jon, Pat and Jim. After all, he was the oldest and as he would tell anybody that would listen, he was also the most handsome.
While in high school, Bret Harte High School in Angels Camp, Larry played football. He played well, as Quarterback he set school records that stood for some time. He finished his senior at Lincoln High School, again as quarterback on the football team.
When Larry was 17, his life changed dramatically. The Viet Nam War was in progress and Larry decided to join the United states Air Force after he graduated from high School in June 1965, literally leaving school and the following Monday going to the induction center in Oakland, California.
Larry’s career in the Air Force would span 23 years which included several tours in the Viet Nam and Thailand theaters. Larry enjoyed his service in the Air Force, most notable his time with the 16th Special Operations Squadron flying with the SPECTRE gunships based in Thailand. He had some harrowing stories to tell about his experiences aboard the gunships. Larry was awarded the Air Force Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters for gallantry and meritorious service. His service tours also included being stationed in the Netherlands as a nuclear weapons technician and as a flight line crew chief for the A-10 aircraft at Pease AFB in New Hampshire. Larry retired from the service as a Master Sergeant. He was very proud of his long career in the Air Force, and during that time Larry made lifelong friends, as seen by the presence of them at his grave side services.
Larry was the type of guy that when he walked into a room, he immediately became your friend. He loved his family and friends unconditionally and would help anybody at the drop of a hat. It is said that Larry inherited his love for corny jokes from his Dad and he always had a joke for anyone that would listen. His love of cars, especially Corvettes, was far surpassed by his love of music. Those who had the privilege of hearing Larry play the blues on one of his many guitars or his keyboard skills on his Hammond Organ said that he was an outstanding musician.
During Larry’s Celebration of Life we learned that while he was stationed in Thailand, during a leave from the base, he went into town and located a venue where he could walk in, go on stage and play his guitar. He was a self-taught musician. When in high school he still could not read music, but he could play with passion – apparently having such a good ear for the music he could play very well. He started a band in high school.
Music was such a part of Larry that he took a ‘break’ from his career in the Air Force, after about six or eight years in, and with a band he toured mostly in the U.S. The band included friends from his high school days, and from the Air Force. He forged lifelong friendships – for instance (and his close friends will attest to this one, “Montana Dan”).
Perhaps finding himself ‘floating’, he returned to complete a career in the Air Force. He would serve just over twenty three years before retiring.
Larry’s time in the service took him all over the world but the one thing that was a constant for him, and that he took everywhere with him, were the memories and pictures of his family: his parents, grandparents, brothers, cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends, a few even from grade school in San Andreas.
The plain and simple truth: Larry loved life! He loved his home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and it can’t be said enough how much he loved his family and friends. He was especially close to his brothers and loved to talk about football, cars and racing, and politics with them.
Larry lived his life the way he wanted. He truly enjoyed sitting outside his house, just a quarter mile from the white sand beach of Fort Walton, with modern fighter jets and the thundering Hercules aircraft from nearby Eglin and Hurlburt Air Force bases flying overhead, a beer and a cigarette in hand, music playing, friends dropping by for a chat and watching the world go by.
The one thing that Larry would say to all of you listening (attending his Celebration of Life) is: Don’t be down, just have a good time!
Larry died in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He had battled the cancer that ultimately took his life. Perhaps the results of cigarettes and / or exposure to Agent Orange.
A reading from John 14: 1 – 4
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
EPILOGUE - - - When his father retired Larry came for the celebration. When his brother turned fifty, Larry came to celebrate. He purchased a new Corvette following his father's retirement, and returned home by driving the iconic interstate highway "Route 66" from Southern California to Chicago. Larry married three times - one of his ex-wife's, Gaye was by his side the last six weeks of his life.
"GET YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE 66"
While in high school, Bret Harte High School in Angels Camp, Larry played football. He played well, as Quarterback he set school records that stood for some time. He finished his senior at Lincoln High School, again as quarterback on the football team.
When Larry was 17, his life changed dramatically. The Viet Nam War was in progress and Larry decided to join the United states Air Force after he graduated from high School in June 1965, literally leaving school and the following Monday going to the induction center in Oakland, California.
Larry’s career in the Air Force would span 23 years which included several tours in the Viet Nam and Thailand theaters. Larry enjoyed his service in the Air Force, most notable his time with the 16th Special Operations Squadron flying with the SPECTRE gunships based in Thailand. He had some harrowing stories to tell about his experiences aboard the gunships. Larry was awarded the Air Force Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters for gallantry and meritorious service. His service tours also included being stationed in the Netherlands as a nuclear weapons technician and as a flight line crew chief for the A-10 aircraft at Pease AFB in New Hampshire. Larry retired from the service as a Master Sergeant. He was very proud of his long career in the Air Force, and during that time Larry made lifelong friends, as seen by the presence of them at his grave side services.
Larry was the type of guy that when he walked into a room, he immediately became your friend. He loved his family and friends unconditionally and would help anybody at the drop of a hat. It is said that Larry inherited his love for corny jokes from his Dad and he always had a joke for anyone that would listen. His love of cars, especially Corvettes, was far surpassed by his love of music. Those who had the privilege of hearing Larry play the blues on one of his many guitars or his keyboard skills on his Hammond Organ said that he was an outstanding musician.
During Larry’s Celebration of Life we learned that while he was stationed in Thailand, during a leave from the base, he went into town and located a venue where he could walk in, go on stage and play his guitar. He was a self-taught musician. When in high school he still could not read music, but he could play with passion – apparently having such a good ear for the music he could play very well. He started a band in high school.
Music was such a part of Larry that he took a ‘break’ from his career in the Air Force, after about six or eight years in, and with a band he toured mostly in the U.S. The band included friends from his high school days, and from the Air Force. He forged lifelong friendships – for instance (and his close friends will attest to this one, “Montana Dan”).
Perhaps finding himself ‘floating’, he returned to complete a career in the Air Force. He would serve just over twenty three years before retiring.
Larry’s time in the service took him all over the world but the one thing that was a constant for him, and that he took everywhere with him, were the memories and pictures of his family: his parents, grandparents, brothers, cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends, a few even from grade school in San Andreas.
The plain and simple truth: Larry loved life! He loved his home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and it can’t be said enough how much he loved his family and friends. He was especially close to his brothers and loved to talk about football, cars and racing, and politics with them.
Larry lived his life the way he wanted. He truly enjoyed sitting outside his house, just a quarter mile from the white sand beach of Fort Walton, with modern fighter jets and the thundering Hercules aircraft from nearby Eglin and Hurlburt Air Force bases flying overhead, a beer and a cigarette in hand, music playing, friends dropping by for a chat and watching the world go by.
The one thing that Larry would say to all of you listening (attending his Celebration of Life) is: Don’t be down, just have a good time!
Larry died in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He had battled the cancer that ultimately took his life. Perhaps the results of cigarettes and / or exposure to Agent Orange.
A reading from John 14: 1 – 4
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
EPILOGUE - - - When his father retired Larry came for the celebration. When his brother turned fifty, Larry came to celebrate. He purchased a new Corvette following his father's retirement, and returned home by driving the iconic interstate highway "Route 66" from Southern California to Chicago. Larry married three times - one of his ex-wife's, Gaye was by his side the last six weeks of his life.
"GET YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE 66"
Inscription
LAWRENCE ARTHUR TENER
MSGT US AIR FORCE
VIETNAM
OCT 4 1947 JAN 27 2019
AIR MEDAL & 3 OLC (Oak leaf clusters)
Gravesite Details
Larry is interred in a larger family plot. I would like to think if you stood where he is resting, and hedged a little, you could watch a football game at the nearby high school.
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