On Thursday, May 14, 2026, Freddie “Fred” W. Tennant, of Bridgeport, passed away in his home at the age of 88 years. He was born July 29, 1937 in Daybrook.
He graduated from Clay-Battelle High School in 1955 and was a proud graduate of Fairmont State College in 1959, with a degree in accounting.
As a young man Fred enjoyed working as a truck driver, and held positions at a finance company, and a steel mill. After college, Fred accepted a position with Consolidated Gas Corp (Dominion) at its Pittsburgh office. He moved his family to Bridgeport and stayed with Consolidated Gas as Division IV accountant at its Clarksburg location for 33 years.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Billie Dawn Lloyd Tennant; son, David Tennant and partner Beverly Huffman of Bridgeport; and daughter, Debra Tennant of Morgantown.
He was preceded in death by his father, Kelly Tennant and mother, Emma Wilson Tennant; and brother, Arnold Tennant.
Fred grew up on a working farm and developed mechanical and carpentry skills that he would use throughout his life. Fred loved classic and muscle cars and was a skilled backyard mechanic. He restored and maintained many vehicles and appreciated keeping them tuned up and clean. He fixed anything around the house and was generous with his time to assist friends and neighbors with tasks like roofing or landscaping. He was meticulous and had one of the best manicured lawns in town and his car was always spotless.
Fred enjoyed dirt track races, NASCAR, and WVU and Bridgeport High School football. He was a wonderful father – supporting his kids’ passions for race cars, horses, and pet rescue. He was active and present with those he loved – rebuilding cars, driving the horse trailer to horse shows as the driver and horse groom, and driver/dog walker on dog rescue transports. He really enjoyed spending time on his boat on Tygart Lake and taking his “grand beagles” to the park. Fred was active in supporting the Daybrook Cemetery to ensure its ongoing care and maintenance.
The family wishes to express its sincere gratitude to all of Fred’s caregivers for their kindness, support and loving care.
In lieu of flowers, donations, in his memory, should be made to the Mountaineers For Mutts Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 1172, Dellslow, WV 26531 or at http://www.m4mutts.org
Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 18, in Burnside Funeral Home, 607 S. Virginia Avenue, Bridgeport, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, with Mark Jones presiding. Interment will follow at the Bridgeport Cemetery.
