Richard James (RJ) Tennis passed away peacefully on November 29, 2023 at the age of 94 at his daughter's home in Crystal River, Florida.

He was predeceased by his wife, Ruthetta Tennis, his daughter, Bonnie Lynn Tennis, his parents Ralph and Dorothea Tennis, his brother Ralph "Sonny" Tennis, and sister Ethel Tennis Shenfeld.

He is survived by his daughter Vicky Ann Tennis, Grandchildren John Richard Hannum and Tifani Ann Hood, and great-grandchildren Elijah Paul Hood and Taylor Ann Hood.

He was born on April 27, 1929 in Middletown, Pennsylvania and grew up on his family's farm in Royalton. He performed his military service in the US Army in 1947 and 1948, beginning his experience with engines as a mechanic and truck driver.

He and his family moved to Florida in 1955 to open Tennis's Garage in Winter Park with his father and brother. He was an amazing mechanic, who was known well for being able to fix any type of mechanical device or engine. He loved fixing broken cars, but had a particular affinity for Volkswagens and saved many of them from going to the scrap heap over the decades.

In 1959, he began working with the Martin Corporation where he spent a 31 year career building and fueling rocket engines. He was very proud of his work putting people and valuable cargo into space. In 1965, he was responsible for saving the Gemini 3 mission by fixing an oxidizer leak at T-35 minutes to launch. As an award, he received the wrench he used to fix the leak and a letter of commendation from Vice President Hubert Humphrey for this action.

When he retired, he and Ruth purchased land in White Springs, Florida where they built a beautiful and comfortable home to live in and started a third chapter of their lives which was full of friends, projects, and civic engagement. Even in retirement, Richard did not slow down and always had a number of projects to keep busy and make use of his many talents.

Lifelong members of the Moose Lodge, they were first at lodge 2073 in Merritt Island and then at lodge 624 in Lake City. Rich and Ruth were both active in their communities, volunteering often at local events such as the Florida Folk Festival at the Stephen Foster State Folk Cultural Center in White Springs.

A memorial service will be held at Harry T. Reid Funeral Home in Jasper, Florida on Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 2:00 pm.