Malcom Knox Tenry

MALCOM KNOX TENRY

Born on July 2, 1926, to Florence and Gilbert Tenry in Enville, Tennessee, Knox Tenry grew up with 3 sisters and 6 brothers. Those days on a farm were full of long work days and laughter. These early experiences promoted that sense of duty which led him to join the Navy serving in the Asiatic-Pacific in World War II for which he received the Asiatic-Pacific and Victory Medals. Knox was one of the five Tenry brothers who served at the same time in World War II. Their father walked daily to the Post Office hoping to receive letters from his sons.

Soon after returning from service, Knox met and married Jo McKelvey. On February 27, 1948, they started their lives together as he pursed his degree in Education at Lambuth University from which he graduated in 1953. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jo McKelvey Tenry and their 3 children, 12 grand children and 22 great grand children. Children are Steve (Barbara) Tenry of Belton, South Carolina, Pam (Don) Belcher of Nashville, Tennessee and Lynn (Karen Hardin) Tenry of Cerro Gordo. Grand children are Thaddeus Tenry, Matthew (Shaunda) Tenry, Adam (Katie) Tenry, Rachel (Justin) Whitmire, Buffy (Mark) Davenport, Hilary (Jeff) Eversoll, Jonathan (Cathleen) Castellaw, Daniel (Amanda) Belcher, Edward (Helen) Belcher, Zachary (Andi) Tenry, Ryan (Emily) Tenry and Cody (Ashley) Johnson.

He is survived by a brother, Reabon Tenry of Union City and a sister, Agnes Smith of Henderson.

In addition to farming, Knox enjoyed a 20+ year career as a teacher and principal in both Chester and Hardin counties. He retired after a number of years of service as a Rural Letter Carrier in Hardin County. He loved and owned horses his entire life and rode with family on annual trail rides until his early 80's.