Al G. Tennis, Sr.
Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 12:06 pm
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.
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.