Official Family Statement

We are heartbroken to inform our family and friends that our dear Tennyson passed away this past week.  His life was a testimony of passion, conviction, purity, and the power of Jesus Christ.  He was a selfless man who impacted our family, our community, and our world in countless ways.  To have known Tennyson was an overwhelming blessing.  We ask for your faithful prayers as we grieve his passing.

Thank you all so very much for your faithful support as we look to the Lord for strength in this time and encourage you to do the same.

 

“…those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31

Comments

[Jolie Evans (Kasynski)]

The last couple of days have been full of memories for me. I went through school with Tennyson... those awkward adolescent days at Baseline Jr. High, which were then followed by many adventures at BHS. Tennyson was and still is one of the most genuine people I have ever met. He was always good to his friends, a dedicated athlete, and a strong presence in any room he was in. I teach school now, and try to teach my 2nd graders to always be proud of who they are, and to treat others around them the way they would like to be treated. A pretty basic lesson- however so many people in this world today forget how important it is to be that kind of person. Not Tennyson, Tennyson is someone who embodied those characteristics. He was and still is someone that people can call a true role model.
In last couple of years I have run into Tennyson here and there and no matter what he always had a warm hug to offer, a wonderful laugh that could light up a room, and a way to make those around him feel appreciated.
A wonderful memory that I will never forget was at our 10 year high school reunion. In a room with great music to dance to, people to catch up with, food and drinks to enjoy... there was a crowd circled around Tennyson watching in amazement some of the magic he had brought with him that evening. He had us captured, amazed, and touched- not just by his amazing gift of magic, but by who he was- a true friend.

[Shane Cook]

Tennyson was the one of the strongest people I knew on and off of the field. On the field he played with so much passion for the Buffaloes. Off the field he had even more passion for his teachings and following of Jesus Christ. He lived his life to the highest standard, and I can say, through our talks throughout the years, has made me a much stronger person. Thanks Tennyson.

This is such a sad time for so many who have had the honor to be touched by Tennyson in our lives. Yet, we all know he is in a better place.

My thoughts and prayers are with the McCarty's during this time. May peace be with you.

[Abby]

hey Tennyson I miss you and LOve you sooo much!!

[Jen Myers]

I knew Tenny when we were both Kinesiology majors at CU. While I lost touch with him over the years, I will never forget what a caring, funny, talented, and generally wonderful guy he was. Some of my best memories from college are of watching him play at Folsom. My prayers are with the entire McCarty family.
Jen Myers (CU'98)

[Matt Mikalatos]

I will be praying for you all. I was so sad to hear this today. Tennyson was a talented man, and I know we'll all feel the loss. Hang in there.

[Derek Schujahn]

I had the privilege to know and work with Tennyson for several years on a limited basis, and he was always someone I looked forward to just spending time with. His laugh, smile, warm personality, witty humor and joy were contagious - and my heart breaks that he is no longer with us. Such an amazing man. Tennyson left a strong impact upon my life, as well as so many others. I even know a family who loved him so much, they named their son after him!

I'm so thankful to have known him, and I look forward to an eternity in heaven watching him do his silly card acts and telling jokes... at least that's my version of heaven.

May God's peace and comfort be with his family now. We shall always treasure our dear friend.

[John Sanders]

McCartys
I am sorry for your loss. Tennyson was loved by many and will be missed by many. He changed my life in a way I could never repay so I thank you and God for him.

I miss you Tennyshoes

I dedicate this song to My friend
On Second Thought " Space"

http://cdbaby.com/cd/secondthought

[O.C. Oliver and Family]

Our condolences and prayers go out to the McCarty family, you have have been a blessing in all of our lives as BUFFS and we mourn with you in this tough time. I know that the LORD JESUS CHRIST is in control and he needed a soldier in heaven!! We love you dearly!! Tennyson will be missed!! God Bless!! BUFFS4LIFE!!

The Oliver Family

[Joshua Harrelson]

I find myself talking to Tennyson still. There were so many things he was a part of in my life, so many things that hadn't finished before he left us. So many things I wanted to tell him about when I got back from a Passion conference in Chicago, the week we found out he was gone. I want to tell him all those things now, and it hurts so much talking to a empty void where he used to be. Thanks so much for helping me through so many difficult times Tennyson. Thanks so much for being a shoulder for me to lean on, an ear to listen, and a voice of unwavering strength and truth. You were a more than a brother to me Tennyson. I want you to know that I am still finding more and more strength in my life today because of yours, and your passing I know displays the power of the cross and HIS victory over death, now given to you. Blessings and peace!

Joshua Harrelson

[Joshua Harrelson]

I also wanted to dedicate a song to Tennyson.

http://xroadslive.net/music/15_Oh_the_Glory_of_It_All1.mp3

[Pattie Harrelson]

My husband Joshua and I found out the news while we were at a Passion event in Chicago. Tennyson was instrumental in Joshua's walk with Christ, introduced him to his best friend Jordan, and Jordan introduced me to Joshua. Tears role down my face as I try to explain the love we have for him. I've never met someone with the clarity and understanding of who JESUS is more than Tennyson. He knew the Lord and loved people so much. There truly was nothing better than a bear hug from Tennyson. He was so pure, so bright, always illuminating the Cross...he always made you feel so important and lifted up. I've never met someone who could just talk to anyone so clearly about truth...he made such an impact. He will be sooooooo missed, we miss you so much T-Rock... We know you just wanted to be with Jesus so badly and now you are.
Thank you for having such an impact and love for Joshua and I. Your legacy will live on through so many people and will definitely through us. We love and miss you so much already.
Love you.
Pattie, Joshua and Asher Harrelson

[Kyle Smith]

Prayed and worshipped with Tenny at FCA. Sweated and bled with him on the field. Laughed and joked with him in the lockerroom. I haven't seen or kept in contact with anyone but Soden since then and this makes me regret not keeping up. The world was a better place with a man like Tennyson in it. I miss him. God Bless the McCarty family. The world is a better place for the brief time God gave us Tennyson.

[Lee Christian]

My wife, Margaret, and I are heartbroken.
We loved Tennyson and were constantly amazed at his passion, energy and commitment to the lost. He was a tender warrior with a lion's heart and we will never forget him. Our prayers to Eric, Mr. McCarty and the entire McCarty family.
We are feeling a tremendous void.

[Lee Christian]

Dear Friends of Tennyson:
One way to honor Tenny is perhaps to buy some tickets to the CU vs. Missouri game at Folsom field on Saturday, November 3rd and donate them to local schools that can give them to kids who normally wouldn't have a chance to attend a Buff game. Louisville Middle School and Sanchez Elementary (Lafayette) have already accepted tickets in Tennyson's name and memory. There should still be tickets through the CUBuffs.com ticket website for $15 apiece if you use the promotional QDOBA (Qudoba/Sponsor) code.
Tennyson loved children; I can't think of a better way to honor him.

[Amy]

A man after God's own heart
That's just a start
The one people looked up to
because he looked up to God
He caught other's tears
in his hands
chased away other's fears
took a stand
against the world
Unselfish in his ways
dedicating his days
to the Lord
The One who knew his heart
shared his laughter
heard his cries, stood by his side
He left behind a legacy
of people saved
the road to heaven paved
for those who he helped believe
To those who he loved
to those who loved him,
"May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7
Amy- BHS 93'

[TENNYSON BLESSED MY HOUSE!]

Tennyson blessed my family. He saved so many soul's with his message of Christ's Love and sacrifice. We will miss you brother and you are in God's hands, safe and sound! Peace to your loved one's.....

[Jason Tyler]

Tennyson was one of the nicest people I have ever met in my life. The type of person who's kindness will never be forgotten. He was a friend and a teammate and although we had lost touch over the years, I am devastated to hear of his passing. My heart goes out to his family and friends and I know that Tennyson is in a better place now. RIP Tenny, say hi to my mom for me, ok?

Jason Tyler

[Craig Montgomery]

I loved being around Tennyson. He had such an amazing presence. During my high school years ('97 Fairview) I was involved with a bible study that he led. I remember one day he shared about a book he had been reading and I was talking to him about the book and he just gave it to me. I'll always remember that. Also about a year and a half ago I was living in Louisiana. Driving to work one day I turned on the radio and heard Tennyson being interviewed about the magic show they were doing there that night. It was amazing hearing Tennyson's voice on the radio in a small town in Louisiana. Then a buddy and I went to the show and were both moved by the message and amazed by the illisions. We waited after the show and got to spend a few minutes with him.
Thank you Tennyson for your life. Thank you for being such a warrior for the Lord. You had a huge impact on my life and so many others.

[Amy Hubbart]

It was an honor to have known Tennyson, even the little that we did--which seems like much too little now. He was a great man, with a passion for life and the Lord that was contagious. Our prayers are with the McCarty's and Tennyson's friends daily. Tennyson, I am so glad you are home now.

[Curtis Sndyer]

Tennyson had such a knack for affecting people close to him, as is evidence by the vast background of the people responding on this site.

I can best express what Tennyson meant to me through personal examples. What I've been thinking about quite a bit the last few days since the moments of heartbreak and shock after learning of his passing.

I knew Tennyson from both high school and college. Both playing the "5" spot during JV basketball way back in 1991-92 was when I first came to know him. He was the lineman playing center and I was the skinny kid who he pushed around quite a bit. I remember not being able to stop his dropstep, like a fly in his way, and him being a brick wall on defense. In the following years mostly I went up against taller and stronger players, but because of those practices I never had those experiences again.

During college, I worked for the sports information office at CU and was lucky enough to be about 15 yards away on the sideline when he caught the game-winning touchdown over Texas A&M in 1995. What a game that was and by far the best catch I have ever seen, his body twisted and contorted and his concentration so great. Being stationed on the opponent sidelines, I also remember glancing acrosse the field on multiple occassions seeing him having to change his jersey number, the last player I know of at CU that was good enough at multiple things to go through the trouble of doing that.

After college, we seemingly had random and chance meetings in places like Kansas City and Texas or even randomly in Boulder, at least a half-dozen times over the years.

To know Tennyson was to know his conviction was strong, even for those of us who knew him from other avenues. Kris Soden said it best in his post about Tennyson making everybody feel comfortable and never passing judgment. He was such a special person.

I know these memories don't paint a fair picture of all that Tennyson meant and left with people, but these are my experiences. My entire family has Tennyson and his family in their thoughts. He will be missed and never forgotten.

[Lyndi McCartney]

I awoke this morning thinking of Tennyson. I immediately had a sense of peace followed by an exuberant burst of joy. A verse in Psalm 91 filled my mind: He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge ... I can just see his smile, can’t you?

A song from yesteryear, from Christian camp, came to mind and I’ve been singing it over and over in my mind.

I am a promise
I am a possibility
I am a promise with a capital "P"
I am a great big bundle of potentiality
And I am learnin' to hear God's voice
And I am tryin' to make the right choice
I am a promise to be anything God wants me to be.

I can go anywhere that He wants me to go
I can be anything He wants me to be
I can climb the high mountains
I can cross the wide sea
I'm a great big promise you see!

I am a promise
I am a possibility
I am a promise with a capital "P"
I am a great big bundle of potentiality
And I am learnin' to hear God's voice
And I am tryin' to make the right choice
I'm a promise to be anything God wants me to be
Anything God wants me to be!

Just thinking of Tennyson brings a smile to my heart. As a child he was a big bundle of potentiality.
All the possibilities just burst forth through his life as he joyfully brought honor and glory to his Savior.

How dearly he loved all those his ministry reached out to, his friends are countless and his beloved family is his treasure on earth. He is home .... full of peace and joy. It is so sad to say good bye to a loved one. When I think of the last time I greeted him – Oh, there it is – that Tennyson smile. That calms the pain of good bye when I remember the hello.

Tennyson’s life said Ephesians 5:1: Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

[Lucy-Ann Vacher]

Dear April and the rest of the Mccarty family, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of heartache and confusion.

I did not know Tennyson but reading these testimonials it is clear what a tremendous person he was and that he touched the lives of many in often life changing ways – in ways that have eternal significance.

Take comfort, if you can, from knowing that as Tennyson fell into the arms of his friend Jesus, His first words to him I am sure would have been “Well done, my good and faithful servant”.

[Alexis Guerriero]

Tennyson was always had a magic trick, an infectious smile, and a positive message for you. He was a true team player, on and off the field. He brought joy and a kind word with him, wherever he went.
In high school, he did not seclude himself to one group of friends or another. He saw the beauty in all people and he was a source of strength for many. Our high school class endured many personal battles and a few tragedies. But Tennyson was always there to lend a shoulder and a positive word.
He will be dearly missed be all, forgotten by few.
Alexis Guerriero

[Maja Russer (Jorgensen)]

The world was a better place with Tenny in it! For a while...he was the little brother I never had but always wanted and grew into an amazing friend! McCarty Family, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Maja BHS '92

[Maja Russer (Jorgensen)]

The world was a better place with Tenny in it! For a while...he was like the little brother I never had but always wanted and grew into an amazing friend! McCarty Family, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Maja BHS '92