John Tennant, Sr.

John Tennant, Sr., a lifelong educator, passed away on Saturday, April 13, surrounded by loved ones in the ranch house he bought—and home he created—for his young family 56 years ago. Born to Marion and Roger in Elizabeth, NJ in 1935, John grew up in Griffith, IN with his younger sister, Patricia, his English bulldog, Trilby, and a desire to make something out of himself. In adulthood, he would absolutely swear that the film “A Christmas Story” was based on that Griffith childhood. His family was happy to believe him. He graduated from Griffith High School in 1953 and set off for Hanover College on the Ohio River, where he met the love of his life, Virginia Louise Keller, when she playfully stamped his hand at the library’s main desk. His second love was football, which he credited for stamping his character for good. He wasn’t the largest or strongest lineman on the field at Hanover, but nobody worked and played harder—a quality that he would bring to every part of his life. Upon graduating, he returned to the Region as a social studies teacher and coach at Dyer Central High School, but he would hold his Hanover days close forever, hanging his Beta Theta Pi fraternity paddle in the house and returning to campus most years to keep those bonds strong. At Homecoming some 50 years later, he would still say, “It all seems like yesterday.” He married Virginia (“Jinny”) in 1960 in her hometown of Dayton, Ohio, on a sun-drenched Saturday in late July, and they welcomed their first of three children, John, Jr., in 1963. Soon, he was something of a hometown celebrity, becoming the first head football coach at the brand new Lake Central High School, where he also sang in a barbershop quartet in the school’s production of “The Music Man” and co-anchored a locally televised high school sports roundup show every Friday night on WCAE Channel 50. For the rest of his life, he would no longer be able to walk into local spots like Teibel’s Coffee Shop, The Nook, Strack’s, or Blythe’s Sporting Goods without hearing, “Hey, Mr. Tennant!” He loved every one of those interruptions. With Jinny, he became an active member of Dyer Presbyterian Church, serving countless terms on the Session to help plan the new building, which stands today, and initiate mission work to ensure that the church offered much more than a place to worship every Sunday. He earned his Master’s in Education Administration from Indiana State University, then worked at Munster High School as an assistant principal and athletic director before retiring in 1994. His next act included stints as a Presbyterian lay pastor, supervisor of IU Northwest student teachers, and janitor/teacher’s assistant to the last and best boss he ever served, Miss Jinny, his wife and the director of Little Friends Preschool in Crown Point. Reliable accounts say he was an exceptional employee who never missed a shift. A man of amusing paradoxes, he loved Italian opera as much as a baseball game, except when his sacred White Sox were playing — nothing beat that. He never cracked jokes but usually was the funniest, happiest guy in the room. He cried during “Brian’s Song” and his grandchildren’s birth, but remained silent when hammering his thumb. But most importantly, to his family and friends, he was the bright North Star of simple honesty and grace. He spoke out for those who couldn’t, prayed for those who suffered the most, and never allowed unkindness or half-hearted effort, whether filling out a tax form, talking to his kids’ awkward teenage friends, or cleaning every…single…window…in the house. To those who survive him— wife, Jinny; son, John, Jr. (Wendi Berkowitz); son, Stephen (Debbie); daughter, Suzanne; and grandchildren, Sean, Peter, and Juliana—he leaves his light to see and keep forever. And because of that, as “Ralphie” says, all is right with the world. A Celebration of Life service for John, Sr. will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Dyer Presbyterian Church, 2501 Hart Street, Dyer, IN 46311. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Tennant family.