Al G. Tennis, Sr.

[draglist]

The worlds of drag racing and hot rodding lost one of their newest fans with the passing of Al Tennis last month. Born in 1933 in Bronson, Iowa, Al had never been to a drag race before meeting announcer Marvin Noel five years ago. The two became as close as childhood best friends and spent the next several years enjoying several pursuits straight out of "The Bucket List."

Al and Marvin enjoyed going up to the hills of North Carolina, where they learned how to mine gemstones. After finding several outstanding specimens in Franklin and Spruce Pines, the men set about learning how to cut the gems and fasten them to jewelry. As a result, all the ladies in two families wear one of a kind creations from the imaginations of a couple of old hot rodders.

Al Tennis put in a full life of work before devoting his last years to play. He retired from the military, then retired as a police officer in South Carolina. Al then retired as the Director of Maintenance for Prisons in South Carolina.

Meeting long time drag racer and hot rodder Marvin Noel gave Al an appreciation for fast cars and the incredible people associated with the sport. The two built a hot rod Ford, which they took to races and Hot Rod Reunions (where Marvin announces). Al's drag racing experience culminated in a dream 'ride' -- the first race car he sat in was one of the fastest in the land, Ernie Walker's supercharged and nitro powered Chevy Vega funny car!

As his family and best friend say their goodbyes to Al Tennis, the worlds of drag racing and hot rodding also bid farewell to one of their newest family members, a man who packed a lifetime of friendships and fast car fun into a brief four years.

[pro70z28]

Farewell Al. R.I.P.

[WildcatOne]

Sorry we lost him. Rest in peace, Al. WC1

[WCB]

Sorry to hear this..
March on Marvin!
God Bless You Al.

[talker]

When i first talked to Bill about my close friend Al Tennis i said i had tried to write something about Al i just could not admit to myself that that he was realy gone. Al was a novise to the sport he had never seen or been to a drag race,car show,or cruise in. I had the pleasure of teaching him that cars were fun not just transportation. When he first drove my 54 Ford 355 ci chevy powered car he smoked the tire for over 200 feet. His first words were that was fun i want to do that again. He was like a kid in a candy store beside being a great rodder he was my best friend RIP my friend i will see you some time in the future
TALKER Marvin J Noel