Andrew Peter "Pete" Tennent

Andrew Peter (Pete) Duncan Tennent, formerly of Salisbury, NC died on Sunday, May 30, 2021, at El Camino Hospital in San Jose, California. He was 65 years old.

Pete was born in Salisbury, England on November 30, 1955. His parents, Doug and Anne Tennent moved to Salisbury, North Carolina in 1958. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School, Knox Middle School and graduated from Salisbury High School (Class of 1974). In 1978, Pete received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Appalachian State University. He earned a Master of Computer Science Degree in 1981 from the University of Virginia. He received the Degree of Juris Doctor in 1984 from the School of Law at Campbell University. He became a Patent Attorney in 1992.

Pete joined IBM in 1992 in Charlotte, NC as an intellectual property attorney in its sales organization. Pete later moved to Tokyo, Japan as IBM's Associate General Counsel for the Asia-Pacific region, before returning to IBM's headquarters to join the litigation department. Pete then became a key leader of the IBM Research legal team at the Almaden Research Center in Silicon Valley for the better part of the last two decades. Pete's contributions to IBM and the relationships he developed with friends and colleagues around the world will be remembered and cherished by all that knew him. Pete loved being with family and had a passion for bringing people together. He looked forward to the annual family Thanksgiving celebrations in Myrtle Beach, SC. Pete was instrumental in organizing the first LouPat Family Reunion in Brighton, England that re-united four generations of extended family from England, Australia and the United States in 2019. He was a key and enthusiastic coordinator for the 45th reunion for Salisbury High School Class of 1974. Family and friends are still talking about and sharing special memories from these reunions. Pete enjoyed tennis, exploring ancestry and traveling with friends on various adventures in and beyond the U.S. He cared deeply about helping others and gave generously, often privately, to support many individuals and causes.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Douglas Duncan Tennent (1995) and Anne Kathleen Rice Tennent (2020); and his former spouse and mother to his children, Susan Gayle Mitchell Tennent Gabriel (2018).

Pete is survived by two daughters, Meredith Anne Tennent (Charlotte, NC) and Brittain Joyce Tennent (Charlotte, NC); granddaughter, Gisele Rhianna Tennent (Winston-Salem, NC); brother David Tennent (Donna) of Rock Hill, SC; sisters, Elizabeth Tennent of Winston-Salem, Patricia Bunch (Willie) of Winston-Salem, NC and Margaret Johnson (Thomas) of Sherrills Ford, NC; nephews, Brian Tennent, Jordan Tennent, Doug Rizeakos (Kim); niece, Kristen Goforth (Keaton) and great-niece Hollyn Goforth.

Visitation: Prior to Mass of Christian Burial, from 10:30 – 11:30 am Thursday, June 10, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 375 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury, NC 28147.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:30 am Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father John Eckert officiating. Burial will follow at City Memorial Park in Salisbury.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Rowan County Youth Services Bureau, Attn: Karen South-Jones, Executive Director, 1322 South Fulton Street. Salisbury, NC 28144 (www.YsupRowan.org) or to: For Pete's Sake - Take a Break From Cancer (www.TakeaBreakFromCancer.org)

Lyerly Funeral Home is serving the Tennent family. Online condolences may be made at www.lyerlyfuneralhome.com.

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