George Ward 'Butch' Tennis

Lt. Col. George Ward Tennis, known by many as "Butch," 75, formerly of Greencastle, died peacefully at home in Durham, N.C., surrounded by his children on Sept. 3, 2015.

He was born in Greencastle, Ind., on Dec. 27, 1939 to Dr. George Thralls and Rosemond Ward.

He graduated in 1958 from Greencastle High School where he met his wife, Letty Jane Lowdermilk, of 45 years. She preceded him in death Feb. 11, 2007.

George was a veteran of the Vietnam War 1970-1972 in the Army Nurse Corps where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Against Hostile Forces, two Overseas Service Bars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Campaign Stars and the National Defense Service Medal.

He was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1995. For the last 30 years before his retirement in 2007 he worked as a nurse anesthetist at the Durham VA Medical Center.

Survivors include son Patrick Ross; wife Julie; daughter Josephine Kelly Yardley and husband Kevin; daughter Mary Woodruff and husband Steve; sister Winifred Kristufek and husband Chris; sister-in-law Debby Lowdermilk Barloon and husband Jack; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

His brother, Ross "Bob "Tennis, 67, preceded him in death in 2008. Bob's, son Shawn Tennis and wife Jamie still reside in Greencastle.

His service will be conducted in Greencastle on Nov. 2 at 1:30 p.m. at Forest Hill Cemetery, 2181 S. Cemetery Rd., CR 50 West. A celebration of George's life will follow at Putnam Inn, 400 N. Jackson St.

Words cannot express our gratitude and appreciation to Duke Home Care and Hospice to assist our hero to pass comfortable and peacefully at home surrounded by the center of his life and love, his family.

He requested that in lieu of flowers, donations in his name go to Duke Home Care and Hospice, 4321 Medical Park Dr., 101, Durham, NC 27704.