Tennis, Laurel “Larry” Reid

Laurel “Larry” Reid Tennis, whose love of airplanes began when he was a young child and lasted a lifetime, passed away peacefully in Downers Grove on Tuesday, May 4th surrounded by his loving family. The only son of the late William and Merle Tennis, he was born on February 19, 1929 in Robinson, Illinois. He graduated from Robinson High School in 1947. While attending school, he played the trumpet in various dance bands in the Indiana and Southern Illinois area to earn money for flying lessons. He obtained his private pilot’s license, taking family and friends on rides and worrying his mother who didn’t trust those “flying machines.” On one occasion, he buzzed his own backyard and his mother, who happened to be standing outside at the time, fainted. After high school graduation, he dusted crops to support his ambition. He quickly earned his instructor’s rating and commercial license. In 1949, he was hired by respected aviator Roscoe Turner in Indianapolis as an instructor and completed his ratings. In June 1950, he joined Northwest Orient Airlines as a copilot. When he was laid off there, a year later, he was immediately hired by American Airlines where he became a captain at the young age of twentyseven. He was selected to be a Chief Pilot in 1965 and held that position for thirteen years. He then elected to return to line flying, piloting the DC-10 to Europe, South America, and Australia. And later, the B-747 to Hawaii and Japan. On one of his layovers in Tokyo, he climbed to the summit of Mount Fuji. At the time of his retirement, he had been the most senior pilot at American Airlines for over two years. Following his retirement, he enjoyed owning his own airplanes and flying family and friends to countless destinations across the country. His other hobbies included managing his financial accounts, traveling with family, and sailing the Caribbean with airline buddies. He was a great lover of poetry, especially the works of Robert Service. He was often called on to recite from memory his favorite poems, including “The Hermit of Shark Tooth Shoal.” Larry is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Nancy, and his adoring daughters Jessica Tennis, Casey (Danny) Stoppenbach and Laura (Dennis) Hughes. He was a grandfather of three and greatgrandfather of four. His son, Michael, preceded him in death in 1984. Funeral Service and Interment at Bronswood Cemetery in Oakbrook, IL will be private. The family expresses its deep appreciation to Capital Hospice of Oakbrook. Jenny King, R.N, and Marianne Carcerano, C.N.A., were kind and gentle in caring for Larry in his final months. We are so grateful to them both. Arrangements by AdamsWinterfield & Sullivan Funeral Home. 630-968-1000 or www.adamswinterfieldsullivan.com.

Sign Guest Book at legacy.suntimes.com