Tennyson (Tenny) Leonard Doney

Tennyson (Tenny) Leonard Doney, 78, died at home Dec.30, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer. He now rests peacefully with our Lord and Creator.

Tenny was born in Hays, MT on Oct.13, 1940 to Roy and Lillie Doney. After graduating from Harlem High School, he joined the Marines. In 1963, he married the love of his life Charlotte Larson. While working and raising 4 daughters, he graduated from University of Montana and then earned a Master's Degree in Public Health Administration at the University of Oklahoma.

He dedicated his career to the Indian Health Service and the advancement of health in Native communities. He worked for IHS for 29 years which included 15 years at the Crow/Northern Cheyenne Service Unit as the Service Unit Director. Tenny was well known for his dedication, strength and generosity as he touched the lives of many people.

Family was very important to him and he loved family gatherings. He also enjoyed fitness, boating, fishing, boxing, reading and wildlife viewing. His family will miss his smiles and hugs, road trips throughout MT, playing cards and boardgames, and large breakfasts with too many waffles.

Tenny is survived by Charlotte, his wife of 55 years and their children: Jessica Doney, Melissa (Jeffery) Walker, Cindy (Elliott) LaMere and Kristy Spears. He also leaves 8 loving grandchildren; brothers Fred and Charlie; sisters Jean, Fay, and Mary. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Leroy and Albert Doney and sister Eleanor Martin.

The family would like to thank Frontier Cancer Center and Riverstone Hospice.

Services will be held at the Sacred Heart Church at Fort Belknap on January 11, 2019 at 11 am. A Celebration of Life will follow on January 12, 2019 at 4pm at Cremation & Funeral Gallery at 29 8th St W in Billings.

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