James Walter Jennings

James Walter Jennings, age 92 of Herndon, VA, passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2021. Diagnosed with COVID-19, Jim was a fighter to his last breath. One of his last requests was for his rosary, and prayer book. He said good-bye to his daughter and son Monday evening and his last words were “I love you all, too.”

Jim was born on July 27, 1928 in Highland Park, IL to the late Sydney C. and Anne Hart Jennings. After graduating from Highland Park High School, he served in the Army 1946-1948, in a divided Berlin. Though he was a member of the military police responsible for protecting US interests in Berlin, some of his time was spent playing American football for the Army since his size and athletic ability made him a natural for the offensive line. Returning to Chicago, and convinced by a buddy that “flying is the best”, he enlisted once again in the Army and was an Aviation Cadet Student, 1949-1950. After a couple of rough landings, both he and the Army arrived at the conclusion, “flying was meant for someone else.” Honorably discharged, Jim using his GI Bill earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University where he met the love of his life, Maxine.

Jim worked as an accountant and a computer systems analyst. Details mattered and he was adept at following through whether it was closing out the books for RR Donnelly or sleuthing a business process for Atlantic Richfield, Jim was focused. This attention to detail was reflected in his hobbies and outside interests in mathematics, photography, chess, sailing, and cycling.

He was preceded in death by his wife Maxine Wadler Jennings, his son James Milton Jennings, his sister Cathryn Jennings, and his brother Charles Jennings. He is survived by his children Charles, Helen Daniels (Stephen), Patrick (Kim), as well as his grandchildren Benjamin Daniels Ferraro (Jenevieve), Timothy Daniels (Danielle), Andrew Daniels, Maxine Daniels, Aaron Jennings, and Abigail Palmer Kolston, and 3 grandchildren.

Three Catholic masses were held for James in February 2021. He will be interred at Quantico National Cemetery on May 28, 2021 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the American Cancer Society.