Paul T. (AKA: Pete, Papa, & Papa Pete) Tench was born June 26, 1930, and earned his wings July 8, 2021, after a period of declining health. He was the youngest son born to Anna Pearl Yearwood Tench and Paul Harold Tench, who preceded him in death. He was married to Betty Jean Pitts Tench, who preceded him in death, as did siblings Katherine Byrd, Gert Lane, Mattie Lee Underwood, Hubert Tench, and Howard Tench. He was a resident of Clarkesville for over 88 years and lived in Gainesville the past three years.
Daughter Dr. Paula Tench and fiancée Frank Calvert, son Kent Tench and husband John Farlow, all of Gainesville, granddaughter Zoë Allyn Wulz of San Francisco, Zoe’s father Greg Wulz, survive him. Friends Janett Allen and Pat Cottrell, sister Evelyn Clark, special cousin Lee Tench, and several nieces and nephews also carry on his memory.
Papa Pete spent many hours with Zoë, his only grandchild, and the two of them shared numerous adventures. Her money tree was one of the many things he loved providing for her. It was loaded with dollars and change for many years, and they both enjoyed scrambling up the branches. He taught her to drive and imparted many words of wisdom to her over the years.
Pete knew the value of hard work and wanted to ensure he provided well for his family. He prayed for opportunity, and when it appeared with Woodmen of the World Life Insurance, he worked hard to become the number one field representative and, later, area manager during his 26-year career. He witnessed firsthand the benefits that life insurance and financial planning could make when a family experienced the loss of a loved one. His leadership skills enabled others to be successful in their endeavors, including his mentee, Todd Wiley.
He was a proud veteran and served his country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. Dad dropped out of high school in the eighth grade to help his family on the farm, and through the GI Bill, was able to complete his education. He liked to say he graduated from high school (not a GED) at the age of 27. He appreciated the value of education and was a lifelong learner.
Pete was a member of the Clarkesville Masonic Lodge for over fifty years.
As a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clarkesville, he served his church family as a deacon for many years. He was the choir director at Victory Baptist Church, where he met Betty, for 19 years prior to moving his membership to Bethlehem.
His hobbies included making music, playing golf, hunting, traveling, photography, gardening, and all manners of shooting. He loved a good joke and had one ready for every occasion. His heart was big, and he was always ready with a listening ear and assistance for those in need. As a child of the Great Depression, he knew how it felt to go to bed still wanting something to eat, and he believed it was his duty to help others. Once he picked up a hitchhiker in Blairsville, bought his dinner, got him a hotel room, and gave him money to help him get back home to Ohio. This is just one of many instances where he came to the aid of others.
The family would like to thank Pruitt Hospice for the love, care, and compassion they showed dad and his family. A special thanks to Angie Walker, his nurse, and Chaplain Susan Collins, who faithfully ministered to our family.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service on Saturday, July 17, 2021, from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM at Hillside Memorial Chapel, with Rev. Susan Collins and Rev. David Smith officiating. A reception will immediately follow the funeral service. Private interment will be in the Bethlehem Baptist Church cemetery.
Flowers are accepted, or donations can be made to the Georgia Mountain Food Bank, P. O. Box 233, Gainesville, GA 30503 or Good News at Noon, P. O. Box 1577, Gainesville, GA 30503.
An online guestbook is available for the Tench family at HillsideMemorialChapel.com.
Funeral arrangements by Hillside Memorial Chapel and Gardens, Clarkesville. 706-754-6256
