James Edward (Edd) Jennings

James Edward Jennings

1920-2015

James Edward (Edd) Jennings, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on February 7, 2015. He was born Nov. 20, 1920, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, to Edward Allen and Jean (Weaver) Jennings. Edd spent most of his childhood in Ponca City and graduated from Ponca City High School. When World War II broke out, he already had his private pilot’s license and was assigned to the Navigation Training School as an Instructor in San Marcos, TX. During that time, Edd married Mary Eloise (Sally) Marsh. Following the war they moved to Stillwater, where he received his Engineering Degree from Oklahoma A&M.

Edd started his career with Continental Oil Co. and quickly moved on to the aerospace field, where he worked for Douglas Aircraft and the US Air Force in the pioneering days of America’s space program, playing a major role in the development of the Delta launch vehicle. He was the Engineer in charge of the Jet Engine testing facility at Tinker AFB when he retired in 1983.

Upon his retirement he enjoyed gardening, traveling with his family, and especially 4^th of July picnics. Edd was an exemplary role model for his family and a loving caregiver for Sally until her death in 1994, just before their 50^th anniversary.

In 1996 another chapter of his life began when he moved to Epworth Villa and married Louise Mathews the following year. They spent 17 wonderful years traveling and helping to coordinate social activities at Epworth.

Edd is survived by his children, Suzy and Van Downing and Richard and Rhonda Jennings; his grandchildren, Jill and Bill Nay, Melissa and Jeff Tyrcha, Jenni and Shane Stout, Ted and Rikki Downing, and Ron Jennings; and by his great-grandchildren, Parker and Katie Nay, Madison and Emmy Tyrcha, Anna and Ally Stout, and Sally and Grant Edward Downing.

Services will held at 2:00 on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at All Souls Episcopal Church with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Matthews Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Edmond, OK.