Myrlon Jay Tenney

Myrlon Jay Tenney passed away peacefully at his home in Taylor, Arizona, on 21 January 2026 while holding the hand of his dear wife J. Myriel Tenney. He was 79 years old. Myrlon was well known as a man of faith, hard work, and had a great love for his fellow man.

Myrlon was born on 1 October 1946 to Edsil Mack Tenney and Ida Nelson Tenney. His childhood was spent in Mesa, Arizona, Bend, Oregon, and finally Page, Arizona where his dad managed a gas station. He shared many exciting stories with his family about his experience of living in the desert while the Glen Canyon Dam was in it’s early stages of construction. Some of his fondest memories are of the summers he spent on his Uncle Lloyd and Aunt Ruth’s ranch as a young cowboy.

Myrlon served honorably as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in what was then the New England States Mission from 1965 to 1967. He loved the people he met and still remembered their names many years later. He had a strong sense of duty, honor, and faithfulness to the Savior that was very important to him throughout his life. He made sure to instill this attitude in his children as well. He served in multiple callings and responsibilities in the Church.

While attending Northern Arizona University, he met his best friend Jocie Myriel Tenney and was sealed to her for time and eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple in May of 1970. They proceeded to raise a large family. Myrlon worked a variety of jobs over the years which took them several places to live, such as Holbrook, Mesa, Taylor and Woodruff, AZ. His longest-lasting career was one he especially excelled at as he had a keen eye for detail and knew how to delegate efficiently. He was hired for the Church as a field rep and also as a facilities manager. He retired after 25 years of overseeing the maintenance and upkeep of church buildings throughout areas of Mesa and northeastern Arizona, including the Snowflake temple.

When he had time, Myrlon worked on his dream farm in Woodruff, driving the tractor, irrigating, and caring for animals. Being a cowboy at heart, he loved watching old Westerns and he also enjoyed target practice. He often took his children along and taught them how to shoot. He liked hunting for Native American artifacts, once finding a real treasure, a set of 16 pieces of mostly intact pottery. He was a talker and relished a good visit or chance to tell stories.

He is preceded in death by his parents Mack and Ida, brother Dennis (who lived in his care for 15 years as a result of memory loss) and sister-in-law Cozette. He is survived by his loving wife Myriel, sisters DeeAnn (Walt) Otto and Kristina (Gene) Irwin, brother James Tenney, his children Meschak (Mary), Maven, Mashae (Aaron) Myers, Merika (Brian) Whatcott, Myrona (Chris) Fuller, Mead (Geneva), Mathan (Eva), Medsil (Cheryl), Maria (David)Wainwright, McKay (Mekelle), 53 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to extend gratitude to all those who have offered prayers for Myrlon and his family, and to the wonderful nurses and doctors from Accord Hospice who helped care for him and made his last few months more comfortable.

Funeral details are as follows: A casket viewing will take place at Love Lake Chapel (301 E. Love Lake Rd, Taylor, AZ) on Friday, January 30th from 6 to 8pm and Saturday, January 31st at 9am. Funeral services begin at 10am. Interment will follow funeral services at the Taylor Cemetery.

If you are unable to be there in person, you can view the services at this zoom link https://zoom.us/j/96189039448?pwd=8baAHvfgg0Kgs8ZpZR8iOxbPdccbOy.1

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