Gary Tennant

Funeral Service for Gary Tennant of Camp Crook, SD will be at 11:00 a. m. on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at the Camp Crook Community Center in Camp Crook, SD with Reverend Susan Fox officiating. Interment will be at 3:00 p. m. in the Ladner Lutheran Church Cemetery at Ladner, SD. Visitation & viewing will be one hour prior to the service at the Community Center. Gary passed away unexpectedly on Friday, August 20, 2010, at the South West Healthcare Center in Bowman, ND at the young age of 68. Gary Roger Tennant was born on August 21, 1941, a son of Martin D. and Helen Ione (Peabody) Tennant in Belle Fourche, SD. Gary spent his life on the Tennant Ranch north of Camp Crook, except for a short time when he worked in Bell Fourche in 1961. He attended the Tarter School for all eight years and graduated from the Buffalo High School in 1959. Following high school, Gary worked on the oil rigs for a short time before returning to the ranch he loved. He then married Sandra Dunn in August of 1961, at the Harding Methodist Church in Harding, SD. To this union, Todd Walter and Shana Layne were born. Gary and Sandra purchased the ranch from his parents in July of 1979, just before Martin passed away. Gary was a talented mechanic and repaired all of his own equipment and decided to help the community by starting Shaw Creek Services. Gary was a man of many talents; shearing sheep, welding and was able to fulfill his lifelong dream of flying. He then bought a plane and flew almost every day checking his ranch and flying for the Multi-County Predator District for many years. Gary had a creative mind and loved to figure out and build his inventions. Gary and his family were always willing to help anyone in need with machinery and resources. Sandra was fatally injured in an accident on the ranch in 1985. Gary later married Jean Comes and became a loving stepfather to her three sons; Paul, Mark and Craig. He had a passion for barbequing, and created his own barbeque that amazed all who watched as he soaked his briquettes in gasoline and lit it with a propane torch. He cooked for several events including the Old Timers Picnic, weddings and family reunions, church dinners, anniversaries, the Camp Crook Fire Department and many other occasions. Gary was involved actively involved in the Camp Crook Community and Harding County. He served on several boards including the West River Telephone Cooperative, Harding County School Board, Harding County Conservation District, Northwest Landowners Energy Alliance and presently serving as a Harding County Commissioner. Even though Gary kept busy he never missed a chance to spend time with children. Gary loved his family and was a mentor to all, young and old. Gary was preceded in death by his first wife, Sandra, his parents, Martin and Helen, a brother, Duane ?Stub? and his niece, Shelly Talton. He is survived by his wife, Jean Tennant of Camp Crook, SD; a son, Todd (Dori) Tennant, Pendelton, OR; a daughter, Shana (Galen) Huebner, Rapid City, SD; three stepsons, Paul (Kari) Comes, Rapid City, SD, Mark (Carroll) Comes, Camp Crook, SD and Craig Comes, Bismarck, ND; four sisters, Annette Lloyd, Buffalo, SD, Louise (Gene) Jenson, Ralph, SD, Gail (Tom) Johnson, Buffalo, SD and Marcia (Warren) Dunn, Buffalo, SD; one brother, Earl ?Shorty? (Ilene) Tennant, Gillette, WY; his nine special grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and long time friends.


Click to View Program (PDF)


Burial Date: August 24, 2010
Funeral Home Ekalaka, MT

Funeral Service: Tuesday, Camp Crook Community Center, Camp Crook, SD