February 28 1932 December 18 2019 (age 87)
Obituary On December 18, 2019 an adventurous and fun-loving artist and thinker, aged eighty-seven years, took his final breath on this earth and bravely said goodbye to those he loved. John E. Jennings was a generous man, a kind and gentle soul who frequently placed the needs of his family above his own. His unique spirit allowed him to embrace life to the fullest and leave behind a legacy rich in laughter and love. The youngest of thirteen children, John E. Jennings was born in Spartanburg, SC on February 28, 1932 to Lindsey Jennings and Flossie Mae Jennings. John sought independence at an early age and enlisted in the US Air Force when he was sixteen. He was immediately stationed in the Panama Canal where he would become a man, a soldier, and a musician. While serving his country, John picked up a guitar for the first time and taught himself to play and sing while entertaining his fellow servicemen. After his honorable discharge from the military, John worked briefly for a bread distributor in Spartanburg and the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1979, he retired from Overnight Transportation, now UPS, as a truck driver after thirty-nine years of service. John’s artistic talents were vast; his works include oil paintings of area landscapes and music composition and performance. His musical career began at the age of seventeen, and John continued to perform throughout his life. His music was inspired by country legends including Johnny Cash and Vince Gill. John’s need for adventure was never overcome by a fear of taking risks. He loved traveling and would get the urge to jump in the car and make tracks. Touring the US was a dream he made a reality when he purchased his first motorcycle. After touring the Southern states, West Coast, and Midwest, John returned home to Greenville and immediately sold the bike. He had the experience and was on to find his next adventure. John enjoyed collecting coins, antique guns, and numerous other knick-knacks. One of his prized possessions was an original Walther PPK handgun, famously featured in the James Bond films. He had bowls of collected odds and ends he would find around town, pennies, earrings, game pieces, lighters— just about anything one could think to misplace. A self-proclaimed treasure hunter, John believed “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and found items everywhere. John had great karma and was full of luck. He was a thinker who challenged himself to complete word puzzles and master Rubik’s cubes. John was also avid sports fan who golfed regularly, attended Nascar races, and was the first truck driver in South Carolina to win the Truck Driving Rodeo in 1968. The driver’s seat is empty and although John E. Jennings has taken his final ride, his memory is forever cherished by his daughter, Judy McCurley, of Greenville; three adored granddaughters, Melissa Lollis of Powdersville, Brandy Faulkner of Georgia, Tonya McCurley of Greenville; grandson, Chris Pelfrey of Oklahoma; six great-grandchildren, Brandon Faulkner, Courtney Faulkner, Alyssa Hodges, Blake Hodges, Tima Lollis, and Oliver Lollis. He also leaves a wealth of nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by a son, John Douglas Jennings; a daughter, Rebecca Ann Raxter; and 12 siblings. A visitation will be held Saturday, December 21, 2019 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown followed by a memorial service and military honors at 3:00 p.m. Burial will be privately held at the convenience of his family. In support of those battling prostate cancer and in loving memory of John E. Jennings, please send memorial donations to the Cancer Research Institute, 29 Broadway, Floor 4, New York, NY 10006-3111 or by visiting www.cancerresearch.org.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John E Jennings February 28 1932 December 18 2019 (age 87).
Death notice for the town of: Greenville, state: South Carolina