James Earl “Jim” Tennis, 88, of Bloomsburg and formerly of Chalfont and Lansdale, passed away on the morning of July 22 nd , 2026, due to complications of dementia. He was born in Bloomsburg on July 30, 1937 to the late Earl Harmon and Lina Margaret (Luring) Tennis.

Jim attended schools in the Bloomsburg area, graduating from Locust High School, Numidia, Class of 1956. In 1962, he married the former Bernice Sobolesky at the Chalfont United Methodist Church. They would raise their two children, Susan and James Edward, and share 25 years of marriage until when, in 1987, Bernice passed away following her fight with cancer. Jim found love again and married the former Patsy “Pat” Drum Hunsinger in 1989. He found great joy in family, especially his grandchildren.

Jim’s relationship with God was always at the forefront of his life. He read the Bible, but he also lived it. He used his talent of connecting with people and resources and he was always on the move. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, serving as a sexton at Chalfont United Methodist Church and as usher and trustee of Christ United Methodist Church, Lansdale. Wherever he was a member, he served. He was involved in all of the communities in which he lived and was generous with his time. He was active in the Lansdale Lions Club, where his own struggles with vision inspired his participation in their eyeglass program. During his time in Florida, he coordinated a group of churches and shelters with the aim of utilizing leftover food from orchards and farms, as well as the Orange Bowl parade, to help those in need. Jim worked as a letter carrier for the US Postal Service in Doylestown for 33 years, and after retirement moved to the Villages in Florida, becoming a snowbird and evading the harsh Pennsylvania winters. Jim and Pat moved, full time, to Millville in 2020 to be closer to family and then into Brookdale Senior Living this past December as his health declined.

Jim loved his country as well. Flag day, July 4th, every federal holiday, his flag was always flying and he belonged to the Patriotic Order of Sons of America, who sought to encourage respect for the flag. He was a good and faithful servant of his Lord and Savior, his country, and his community.

Jim will be missed by his beloved wife, Pat; his children: Susan Rapuano and husband, Ken, James Tennis, Tanya Kocher and husband, Todd, and Jamie Reiner and husband, Matt; six grandchildren; sister: Mary Wolfgang and husband, Marvin; sisters-in-law: Cathy Mackey and husband, Phillip, Cindy Sobolesky, and Janice Tennis; 15 nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews; and friends far and wide.

In addition to his parents and Bernice Tennis, Jim is preceded in death by his brothers: David, Thomas and Harry Tennis.

A time of gathering for family and friends will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at noon, at The Bridge UMC, 145 Ridge St., Bloomsburg. A memorial service will follow, with Pastor Kelly Kocher-Ross officiating. Jim will be laid to rest on Friday, September 4, 2026 at the Whitemarsh Memorial Cemetery.