James Arthur Jennings

James Arthur Jennings passed away Sept. 25, 2015, at his home in Fruitland, after a year long battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 8th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fruitland. A short committal service with Military Honors will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 9th at the Idaho State Veteran’s Cemetery, Boise. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Fruitland. Condolences may be made to James’s family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.

James was born Dec. 17, 1946 in Rhinebeck, NY to William R. and Saramae (Stearns) Jennings. He was the oldest of eight children.

After moving back to Idaho, when James was around 3½ years old, his dad began working for the Idaho Fish and Game Dept. This took the family to Grace, American Falls, and Payette, ID. The family moved to Fruitland when James was in the third grade.

James graduated from Fruitland High School in 1965. In Sept. of 1965, he met the love of his life, Linda Hale.

James enlisted in the Marine Corps after graduating from TVCC. In March of 1968, he left for boot camp at Camp Pendleton, CA. By the end of the year, he was accepted to Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA. Before leaving for Quantico, he and Linda were married Dec. 23, 1968 in Winnemucca, NV.

In Sept. of 1969, James began Army Flight School for his training in helicopters. He received his Navy wings in Santa Ana, CA in 1970. James was a CH-46 pilot and achieved the rank of Captain, while in the Marine Corps.

James was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1975, at which time he moved his family back to Fruitland.

James loved to fly, so after his military service, he decided on a career in Ag. flying. He worked for Farmers Supply Co-Op as an aerial applicator for 35 years. James took pride in his work and was a dedicated employee.

James is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Brenda (Jesse) Watkins, Kevin Jennings, and Amanda Jennings Keenan; his six grandchildren, Danielle, Alex, Jake and Preston Watkins, Ashely Keenan and Gavin Ennis; and his siblings, Donna Jennings, Carol (Skip) Bicknese, Tim (Dianne) Jennings, Bonny (Adam) Squires, Bill (Lori) Jennings, Bryan (Nancy) Jennings and April (Dave) Halgren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. James was preceded in death by a daughter, Cheryl Ann Jennings and both parents.

To honor James’s memory donations may be made to the Idaho Food Bank or Boise Rescue Mission, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette, ID 83661.