LANCE TENNIS
Lance Tennis, a pillar among pillars, departed from us to meet his maker and Lord, Jesus Christ, midday on Thursday, February 29th, 2024. An exceptional father, husband, friend and mentor to many, he was also a pan-generational leader who both prominently and behind-the-scenes worked to build a better future for his fellow citizens in northern California, the rice industry, and as an advocate for preserving agricultural water rights, a realm in which he stood as a giant.
Lance and his wife Audrey had returned from a relaxing cruise in Australia and New Zealand just two days prior to his death, which was very unexpected. A man of deep faith, Lance was well-known for his commitment of time, leadership and resources toward his God and church community (for decades he served as an elder for the Evangelical Free Church of Chico), and many other important organizations both in and beyond our region. These include the Enloe Hospital Foundation (where he served as a fundraising chair for the new “Magnolia Tower”), CSU Chico (a major long-term supporter of the University Farm and celebrated as “Distinguished Alumni” by the College of Ag), Western Canal Water District (founding board member), Butte County Farm Bureau, Northern California Water Association, Rice Growers Association of California, Butte County Rice Growers Association, California Rice Research Board (chairman) and Cooperative Rice Research Foundation (2007 Rice Industry Award), Butte County Water Commission, and Northern California Farm Credit. He was recognized by the Boy Scouts of America, Golden Empire Council as “Distinguished Citizen” in 2003. Other organizations he has consistently supported over the course of his long and generous life include Campus Crusade for Christ, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Young Life, Jesus Center, Chico Rescue Mission, Ducks Unlimited, Silver Dollar Fair, Junior Livestock Auction and many others.
Lance David Tennis was Born April 14, 1941 in Woodland, California to parents Donald F. and Marjorie Tennis (Umberger), who were married in 1938. Lance spent his earliest years in a little house on D Street in Knight’s Landing, a funky little hamlet on the edge of the Sutter Basin where Donald had settled after moving from Oregon to begin the rice and row crop operation that would eventually expand to Chico. Two siblings, Patrick and Kathy were to follow, and his maternal grandparents, Lew and Bessie Umberger, and aunt and uncle Louise (Umberger) and Carol Tennis, and double-cousin Richard, lived close by. This was before air conditioners, so on hot summer evenings neighborhood kids would ride their bicycles behind the mosquito abatement “fogger” truck to cool off as it belched its way through their little farming town. No kids died that we know of.
After graduating from Woodland High School in 1959 he moved north to attend “Chico State College,” where he majored in Agriculture and also became involved with student government. He was a member of the Delta Sigma Pi fraternity, and as a junior was president of the 1963 “Pioneer Days” festival. Once, late in his college career, Lance was preparing for a retreat at Clear Lake with the rest of the AS officers when Dr. Loren Phillips, head of the fledgling Ag department, cornered him. “You’re going up there to make financial decisions,” the man said, “and our livestock judging team needs money. See what you can do.” Lance formed an alliance with a sympathetic associate and they managed to convince their colleagues to shift money from athletics to the judging team. He has chuckled that this was his foray into the world of lobbying on behalf of agriculture. To whatever extent that was true, a family legacy of pro-ag advocacy was certainly created through him.
Lance enlisted in the US Navy (OCS) after finishing college in 1965. The Vietnam era was recently upon us, and although he requested ship duty he was Providentially assigned to run the Officer’s Club (lounge) at the El Centro Naval Air Facility in the heart of the Imperial Valley. This unique desert air base was and remains the permanent “Winter Home” of the Blue Angels, the Navy’s world-famous fighter jet exhibition team. During his service at El Centro, Lance (who was by this time a lieutenant) met and befriended many important people, including all the Blue Angels who hung out at the bar.
But the most important person he met in the Imperial Valley was nowhere near the bar, but at the local Baptist church: a cute little dishwater blonde by the name of Audrey Novinger. The two were married about three months later in a military ceremony and walked through a sword arch, courtesy of a bevy of Navy officers attending. The two moved back to Chico following his military service and he began -along with his brother Pat -- to take the reins of his father’s farming operation. His two children, Kelly (‘69) and Matt (‘72), and a brood of seven grandchildren, are the happy result of what followed.
When recently asked by his eldest grandson what he was most proud of in life, he succinctly responded: “I’m really proud of the fact that my family, my children, are all involved in the Church. It’s an important part of their lives, and I think that’s a very valuable thing – you can’t put a price on it … I’m also really pleased with our farming operation, and how that’s developed and been sustainable, and I’m glad that we as a family are all compatible.” Among his greatest joys later in life was spending time with friends and family at Lake Almanor.
Lance is survived by Audrey Tennis, his loving wife of 57 years, children Kelly and Matt, both of whom live in Chico with spouses Robert Doornbos and Rebekah Tennis, respectively; grandchildren Will Doornbos, Emery Doornbos and Audrey Doornbos, as well as Cameron Tennis, Lance P. Tennis, Eric (“Kip”) Tennis and Charlotte Tennis; his brother Patrick Tennis of Yuba City, and his sister Kathy Garland of Silverton, Oregon.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, 3/15/24, at the Evangelical Free Church of Chico at 1193 Filbert Ave. in Chico. Lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, please send financial gifts to either the “Evangelical Free Church of Chico Building Fund” or “Enloe Health Foundation, Cancer Center Campaign.”