Clive Vorris Tenney
-- 1922 ~ 2012 --

On Sunday morning, February 12, 2012 our dear father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, C. Vorris Tenney was called home following a tragic stroke in American Fork, UT.

Vorris was born on January 22, 1922 in Thatcher, AZ to Clive Vernon and Minnie Williams Tenney. At age 2, the family moved to San Diego, CA, where Vorris attended Hoover High School and San Diego St. College. Here he established his love of physics and mathematics. His studies were interrupted by America's entry into WWII, and he enthusiastically enlisted as a naval aviator and flew Catalina PBY's in the South Pacific from 1943 to the end of the war. While on leave at home, Vorris met the love of his life, Marian Francis, at a church dance and they were married in the Logan, UT LDS Temple. After the war, he returned to his studies, graduated, and began teaching physics and math at La Jolla High School. After 2 years teaching, he was hired by the Naval Electronics Lab in Pt. Loma as an electrical engineer, and the family settled in the San Diego suburb of El Cajon.

Vorris was valiant in LDS Church service throughout his life, and served in numerous leadership positions, including bishop of the El Cajon 2nd Ward, president of the San Diego East Stake, and director of the LDS Student Assoc. throughout Southern California. Following his retirement, he received the call he cherished most, president of the Arkansas Little Rock Mission from 1981 to 1984. Upon returning home, he and Marian decided to move to Bountiful, UT to be nearer their girls, Marian's family, and to many of the missionaries they had come to love so much in Arkansas. There, Vorris was called to be a sealer in the Salt Lake Temple, and subsequently in the Bountiful and Mt. Timpanogos Temples. He was privileged to perform weddings for his children, grandchildren, and numerous Arkansas missionaries, among the thousands of others he sealed.

Vorris is survived by his sweetheart of 66 years, Marian, and 6 loving children: Michael (Diane), Elaine Wright (Lowell, dec,), Steven (Laurie), Richard (Tina), Carolyn McDonald (Alan), and Kathleen Martella (Jeff). He also leaves behind 22 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren who loved and cherished him. He was preceded in death by his sisters Mildred Handy, Maxine Winsor, and Geraldine Nelson, and his brother Keith.

His life was one of love for his family and the gospel, and one of devoted church service. He truly loved everyone and tried to uplift all those he came in contact with. He loved music and enjoyed singing with Marian at every opportunity. He also had a passion for the world of science and spent many hours in his later years developing his thoughts on the interrelationship of science and religion, and loved to discuss them with all who would listen. We miss you Dad. We'll take care of your stash of dark chocolate.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 11:00 am in the American Fork 4th LDS Ward Chapel located at 455 East 300 North, American Fork. A public viewing will be held on Monday evening February 20, 2012 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Warenski Funeral Home located at 1776 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah 84003. A viewing will also be held from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services. Interment will take place in the American Fork City Cemetery.