James Edward Jennings
July 2, 1930 - October 10, 2024
Obituary
On October 10, 2024, James Edward Jennings (Jim) passed away at home following 94 active years of being a special husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a dear friend to so many. His life touched many. He will always hold a special place in their hearts.
Jim was born in Saco, Montana on July 2, 1930, to Sue and Ivan Jennings. He spent most of his early years in Montana and most of his adult life in Washington State. He attended a one room school in the small ghost town mining community of Gilt Edge through fifth grade. Later he attended schools in Willow Creek and Livingston, Montana and, for his senior year, Selah, Washington. Many of his summers were spent with his Siderius aunts, uncles and cousins in the Kalispell Valley, Montana, helping with the farming and creating strong bonds that live on today. He always looked forward to the large Siderius reunions where these ties could be renewed.
Jim received two Bachelor Degrees and a Master of Arts degree from Washington State University and went on to let everyone know that he was a “Coug for life”. He was especially proud of his Golden WSU Alumni hat given to him to commemorate his 50th year as an alum. After graduating, he served in the US Army, being assigned to Occupation Duty in Germany. After discharge he started teaching in Pateros, Washington, where he was soon promoted to High School Principal. Continuing to move upwards, he served 9 years as a Superintendent of Schools in Brewster, Washington, being the youngest Superintendent in the state during his first year. It was during these years that Jim married his wife of 65 years, Anna Mae, and fathered four children. He enjoyed camping, fishing and spending time with his family and relatives.
Jim moved his family to Oregon for two years while obtaining a Doctor of Education degree at the University of Oregon and serving as Assistant Superintendent in the Hood River School District. In 1969, they moved to Burien, Washington where he served 15 years as the Director of Business Services and Facilities in the Highline School District. He helped the district address a rapid enrollment decline by administering the closure of 20 schools, creating a community outreach process that was nationally recognized. He also was the contact for making decisions on whether to delay school on snowy days (but made his children listen to the radio to hear the outcome) and negotiated numerous union contracts, many of which threatened to delay the annual Labor Day trek to the Yakima Valley for fruit and vegetables.
While his job required many evening meetings, he still prioritized being active in his children’s lives, attending as many of their school, Camp Fire, church and athletic events as possible and coaching a few softball teams. Each evening after work Jim could be found in his large vegetable garden, providing food enjoyed year-round. The month of July was always reserved for family travels around the western US and Canada, frequently taking paths that led to the Kalispell Valley and other locales where Siderius family resided. Summer also included many trips to the cabin in High Valley, Washington – swimming, golfing, hiking, driving through the nearby forests and trips to Mt. Rainier were favorites. Jim loved the wilderness. His family hikes ranged from weeklong treks to day hikes to hidden lakes and breathtaking views. During the hikes he would quiz his fellow hikers to identify trees, ferns and flora. Shortly after moving to Burien, Jim and Anna Mae joined the Spinnakers—a church group that met regularly to do service projects, activities and outings together. The group still tries to meet annually and support each other in their daily lives.
Jim was a member of the Highline Kiwanis for 55 years, where he worked at the high-school football concession stands and served for 46 years as Campsite Director and Co-Director for their 10-acre Camp Schonwald. The camp was set aside in its natural state with the purpose of being a resource for local youth. In preparation for many day camps and scout meetings, he led many work parties and coordinated the rebuilding of the campfire shelter and lodge.
After his retirement in 1985, Jim and Anna Mae enjoyed touring the US and Canada in their motorhome, traveling over 200,000 miles. Each September and October, they headed to the National Conference of the Council of Educational Facility Planners, exploring along the way. Sometimes the path was not what one would expect, like the year they went from Seattle to New England via Florida. Jim served as the Secretary Treasurer of the Pacific Northwest Region of CEFPI for 15 years, receiving two National Awards.
Jim loved to connect with extended family and made it a point to go to all the Siderius and Morris family reunions. In order to preserve some of the family’s history, he compiled books containing biographical information on both the Siderius and Morris families. The Siderius book covered the 13 children of his mother’s generation while the Morris book covered Anna Mae and her siblings. These were distributed to each of the families. He wrote two memoirs— “Chasing Memories” about Anna Mae and his childhood memories and “My Educational Journey”.
In 2012 Jim and Anna Mae sold their home in Burien and moved to Wesley Terrace in Des Moines, Washington where he immediately got involved in committees, served as a resident consultant on the reconstruction of the Gardens facility and became known to, and loved by, almost everyone in the Terrace family. When first visiting the Terrace, Jim noticed the Circle Garden and asked if he could get a bed if he moved there. They laughed and said they could probably arrange for him to have several, which they did. Jim moved his dahlias from his previous garden (the vegetable garden turned into flower garden when there were fewer mouths to feed), planted spring bulbs, zinnias, marigolds and fuchsia and inherited the smelly Tiger Lily. He soon became the Manager of the Des Moines Wesley Circle Garden, a position he held to his final days. He took great pride in sharing his dahlias and the rest of the colorful Circle Garden each summer. Five years ago, while at the Puyallup Fair viewing the giant pumpkin display, Jim decided he’d try growing large pumpkins “because the residents would like to watch them grow”. A contest was held each year to guess the weight of the pumpkin, becoming a highlight for all. This year’s pumpkin was the largest yet, weighing in at 217.1 pounds, more than all his previous pumpkins combined.
Jim was also known for his Christmas light displays set up in the front yard in Brewster, on the roof in Burien and on the deck at the Terrace. He loved providing others with the joy the display brought to others, including those who would drive by just to see the display. While at the Terrace his display included several blowup characters.
Jim was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Anna Mae. He is survived by his four children: JoDeen Cushman, Jeremy Jennings, Jama Jennings and Janelle Jennings, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He enjoyed spending time with each of them and was very proud that each of their children obtained college degrees, had/have successful careers and are enjoying life.
Jim will be interned at Tahoma National Cemetery with full military honors. Services will be held at 2 pm on October 28, 2024 at Wesley Homes, Terrace Auditorium, 816 S. 216th, Des Moines, Washington, 98198.
Donations in memory of Jim may be made to the Wesley Community Foundation (815 S. 216th Street; Des Moines, WA 98198).
