Tench Jr., George Ellsworth

George Ellsworth “Slick” Tench Jr. died at his home surrounded by his family on Friday Dec. 23, 2011, at 87.  He was born in Petersburg on Nov. 9, 1924, to George E. Tench and Jean Larew Tench.

He attended Pulaski County Schools and graduated high school from Georgia Military College.  He served as a pilot in the United States Air Force and attained the rank of captain.  He attended Virginia Tech for three years, and then worked as a clerk for the Norfolk Southern Railway for 42 years until his retirement in 1989.

He was a volunteer firefighter for the Newbern Fire Department for over 30 years.  He was an avid outdoorsman who loved traveling and hiking in the mountains.  He and his wife, Dottie, enjoyed western square dancing for 30 years.

He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy W. Tench, of Dublin; four children, Jenny Shepherd and husband Jerry, of Pulaski; Mike Tench and wife, Pam, of Dublin; Neal Tench and wife, Lisa, of Edmond, Okla.; and Ann Lawson and husband, Daniel, of Dublin.   He is also survived by six grandchildren, B.J. Curl and husband, Billy, of Dublin, Bob Jackson and wife, Whitney, of Dublin, Josh Tench and wife, Jennie, of Kernersville, N.C.; Sara Tench and fiancé, Jeff Testerman, of Greenville, S.C.; Heather Edmonds and husband, Mikie, of Lawton, Okla., and Adam Lawson, of Dublin.  Also surviving are six great-grandchildren; Shaylen Jackson, James Jackson, Remi  Jackson, Lena Tench, Gibson Tench, and Blake Jackson.  He will be greatly missed by his loving family.

Visitation will be held at Stevens Funeral Home, in Pulaski, today, Tuesday, Dec. 27, from 6 – 8 p.m.  The funeral service will also be held at Stevens Funeral Home on Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Gary Rorrer and the Rev. Chester Linkous officiating. A graveside service will follow at Larew Cemetery on Newbern Road.

Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski.