Edmund Eugene "Ed" Tenney

Edmund E. "Ed" Tenney, 85 of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully with his family at his side, at Lakeview Senior Assisted living on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. Ed was born in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, on January 7, 1931, the son of Jack E. and Winifred E. (Phelps) Tenney. He moved, with his family, to Battle Creek in 1938. Ed attended Battle Creek schools and graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1949. He attended Michigan State University where he was affiliated with Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. After three years at MSU, he transferred to Western Michigan University for his senior year and graduated in 1957. His loyalties however, remained with MSU and he was always a staunch Spartan fan. Ed joined the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War era and served as a combat photographer in Korea. He also traveled throughout the Far East writing and filming documentary films and still photography. Many of his photos appeared in newspapers worldwide and his films were often seen in, the then popular, theatre newsreels. Even today his films occasionally can be seen on the History Channel. Ed received the Air Force Commendation Medal for his combat photography in Korea. Ed also created several picture stories for the military newspaper Stars and Stripes. He also served as editor, writer and photographer for the Airlift Times, a twice weekly publication of the 315 Air Division (Combat Cargo). Following military service Ed returned to Battle Creek and married Jane E. McCoy in 1955. Ed and Jane had two children Michael R. Tenney and Lisa E. Tenney. Following his interest in newspapers and photography, Ed became editor of the Battle Creek Record and Lakeview News. He next joined his wife's family business, the McCoy Printing Co. In 1960 he and Paul Bizzis purchased the business from the McCoy family. In 1963 he sold his interest in the McCoy firm to become senior vice president of Hilltop Advertising, a position he held for 30 years. Ed often said how much he enjoyed his years at Hilltop. The firm grew to become a respected area advertising agency and handled advertising for many local and national accounts. At Hilltop, Ed was a copywriter, photographer, media director, print buyer and account executive. Ed's creativity was recognized by his receipt of many "Addy" awards from the Advertising Roundtable of Southwestern Michigan. In 1993, Ed left the advertising business and became a Realtor® and joined Circle West Realty. He later moved to Troxel Realty Co., LLC. Ed also operated a photography business, specializing in wedding and event photography. Ed always said he was not the retiring type and never really stopped working. He enjoyed many interests but particularly enjoyed activities with his family. He had a love of water and boats and he and his family enjoyed many summers sailing their sailboat, the "True Love" on Lake Michigan. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing and tying trout flies. He was a former member of the BC Gun Club and loaded his own shotgun shells for trap shooting. Though he traveled extensively, Ed was always happiest when he was at home with his wife Jane and close to his son, Mike, his daughter-in-law Elizabeth and his two grandsons, Blake and Blair Tenney. Ed was active locally as chairman for the Calhoun County Chapter of the March of Dimes, the United Way and others. He was a member of the Professional Photographers of America, the Advertising Roundtable and the International Combat Camera Association. He was a fifty+ year member of the Battle Creek Country Club and a former member of the Athelstan Club. Although Ed played golf his favorite sport was tennis. He and Jane enjoyed playing with the" Friday Night Tennis Group" and their after the game potlucks. Ed is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Elizabeth Tenney of Battle Creek; two grandsons, Blake and Blair Tenney of Scottsdale, AZ; a sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Daniel Grasseschi of Estero, FL; a cousin, Eric Phelps of Douglas, MI and several nieces, nephews and their families. Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Jane on April 23, 2008; an infant daughter, Lisa Elaine Tenney on May 12, 1958; his parents and a brother, John Tenney. Inurnment, with military honors by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery for Ed's family at a later date. Memorial contributions in memory of Ed may be made to Bronson at home Good Samaritan Hospice Care, 165 North Washington Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49037-2929. Arrangements are by Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.