Robert Jay Tennant, 87, Columbia City, died at 9:14 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne where he was admitted the previous Sunday.

He was born March 11, 1929 in Clay City, Clay County, Indiana a son of Russell Jay and Hallie Alma (Funk) Tennant. At the age of 10, his family moved to Fort Wayne. He graduated from Central High School.

During the Korean War, he served in the United States Air Force until his honorable discharge on September 2, 1952.

On Dec. 31, 1953 he was united in marriage to Addielu Adams. They made their home in Fort Wayne until 1954 when they moved to Blue Lake. In 1966 they moved to a farm in Thorncreek Township until moving to their home at Tri Lakes in 1978.

He was employed at Dana Corp in Fort Wayne for 47 years.

An avid golfer, bowler and ham radio operator, he was a member of R.V.I.C.S.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Addie; five children: Tamara (Sid Spiro) Tennant of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Kim (Daniel) Tubbs, Columbia City; Kelly (Neil) Tennant Lawrence, Fort Lauderdale Fla.; Dorsey (Lisa Haarde Scarpa) Tennant, Hobe Sound, Fla.; and Kozy Tennant, Lexington, S.C.; eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Tracey Jay Tennant; and two brothers, James Tennant and William Tennant.

The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. The burial will be in Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam.

Preferred memorials are to Humane Society of Whitley County.

Smith & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.