Not many people have lived through horse-drawn wagons, world wars, the invention of television, man on the moon, the internet, and smartphones, but Tennyson Alroyd DeGraffenreid did just that and more. His life was not only long but also rich in purpose, community, humor, and as one of the Lake of the Ozarks’ first pioneers.
Born on Valentine’s Day in 1921 on a farm near Ulman, Missouri, Tennyson, also known as T.A., was the oldest of four children. From a young age, his curiosity and tenacity showed. His schooling experience alone was a testament to the times: in a one-room schoolhouse that rotated grades every other year, he ended up taking the 6th grade twice just to stay on track.
His life was filled with unique memories that paint a vivid picture of American history through a personal lens. At age 10, he was supposed to join his aunts as they drove across the brand-new Bagnell Dam, a structure his own family had helped build. They left him asleep that morning, but he never forgot the story.
Tennyson’s career began in aviation. He became a licensed aircraft engine mechanic in 1940 and worked in Texas and Washington, D.C. and later served in the Army Air Force during World War II in Germany. After returning to the States, he briefly rejoined TWA before deciding that Long Island was a little too far from home. Missouri’s hills were calling him back, and he listened.
He went on to work for 33 years at Union Electric at Bagnell Dam, eventually becoming Control Room Foreman. Alongside his brother Johnny, he also dabbled in the sand and gravel business. But Tennyson’s life wasn’t all work. He was a pilot, a beekeeper, a music lover, a slide-show enthusiast, and a master storyteller with an impeccable memory.
In 1953, he married Vivian Neill, a home economics teacher, and they raised two children, Marla and Jon. Together, they built a life full of laughter, family adventures, church gatherings, and card games. Faith was an anchor in Tennyson’s life. He was baptized in his 20s and spent decades as a faithful member of Lake Ozark Christian Church. His connection to family and faith shaped everything he did.
Daughter Marla (Tennyson) Allman humbly remembers her father as the simple yet extraordinary man he was. “Dad led a very normal, simple life, and his greatest claim to fame was that he lived longer than most.” He lived to be an impressive 103 years old.
As those close to him know, Tennyson’s calendar entries, lists, and stories will live on, as will the love he gave freely and the impact he had on our Lake community and those around him.
