James Douglas Jennison

Doug Jennison passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on April 17, 2023 at the age of 80. Doug, aka Dad to Kirk (Tina) Jennison and Melinda (Myles) MacKinnon, Grandpa to Britney, Kendon and Kaelin and Great Grandpa to Maleah, was predeceased in 2014 by the love of his life, Donna, who he was married to for 52 years. In addition to his immediate family, Doug is also survived by his siblings Louise, Bette and Bob, and several nieces and nephews.

Doug was born in Crystal City Manitoba in 1942 and grew up on the farm in Cartwright before marrying Donna in 1962 and welcoming Kirk into the fold. A few years later, the young family made the trek to Kelowna, British Columbia where they met some friends who became family and they built a house in Rutland that was surrounded by onion fields and orchards, where they lived for over 40 years. Just as they were about to watch Kirk finish high school and they could just about reach out and touch the idea of being “empty nesters,” Doug and Donna welcomed Melinda into the family and the parenting started anew.

Doug started his working life as a Psychiatric nurse in Manitoba but changed paths as life circumstances dictated and worked for White Trucks/Western Star, Pepsi and eventually retired from NAP. Regardless of where he was working or what his job description was or what he was doing, Doug’s work ethic, attention to detail, and unwillingness to do anything less than his best ensured that everything he did was done to the very best it could possibly be done. Despite retiring in 2004, Doug continued utilizing his eye for detail by helping Donna with DJ’s Screens and continued this small side business even after her passing; often making several trips to a house to make sure the measurements “were just right.”

In addition to his exceptional work ethic, Doug can best be known in his role as a “quiet observer.” He loved nothing more than being surrounded by family and friends, but he would often pass an entire evening without saying a word, rather just taking in everything around him. Many weekends were spent with friends camping, fishing, cutting firewood, riding quads along the KVR, spending nights playing cards and using his crib skills to take money from his opponents. When Doug wasn’t working, he was likely helping someone fix a vehicle, move, build something or working with Donna on the upkeep on their immaculate yard. Doug loved travelling to the States and swore that just crossing the border made his heart feel lighter, his truck run smoother and the beer taste better. Doug didn’t strive for fame and fortune, but he did focus everyday on doing his best and helping whomever he could with whatever he could, embodying the “farm boy” values from his childhood. Doug was independent, stubborn and hated the thought of being a burden to anyone, which in many ways makes his sudden passing easier to take and comprehend.

Doug’s big shoes mean that it will be impossible for anyone to ever fill his footsteps. We know that he is quietly taking in his new surroundings and has already likely found someone for him to lend a hand to help. Here’s hoping that his heart is lighter, his truck is smoother and the beer is colder! His wings may have been ready, but our hearts were most certainly not. In our hearts and our minds, always and forever.

We will be gathering for an informal celebration of Doug Jennison on Sunday May 14, 2023 at 11:30 in the MacIntosh Room at the Parkinson Recreation Center in Kelowna. This will be followed up by a "happy hour" at Freddy's Brew Pub in Rutland at 2:00 pm where we will raise some glasses in honor of an amazing man who loved nothing more than being surrounded by his family and friends

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to a charity of your choice or that you simply raise a glass in his honour!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valleyviewfuneralhome.com for the Jennison family.