Kenneth W. Jennings joined his wife Nancy in heaven on the morning of July 11, 2022, at the age of 90. Kenneth was born in Vinita, Oklahoma on September 11, 1931, and grew up in Chelsea, Oklahoma. He graduated from Chelsea High School in 1949. According to Kenneth, Chelsea was a great place to grow up. The local hang out spot was Thomas Drug store where Kenneth and his friends would often gather after school. You could also catch him and his crowd at Teen Town dancing and having a good time.
In his youth, Kenneth was active in sports and particularly enjoyed fishing with his father. Although active in sports, a professional sports career was not in the cards for Kenneth as one year he played football his team lost every game.
Since his father was a doctor and owned a small hospital in Chelsea, it was only natural for Kenneth to enter a career in helping people cope with the loss of loved ones by entering the funeral business. Kenneth attended the University of Tulsa and the Kansas City College of Mortuary Science.
He lived in Tulsa for over forty years where he met and married the love of his life Nancy Copman. Before retiring, Kenneth worked as an embalmer and funeral director since 1953. Over the course of his career he worked for both Stanleys Funeral and Moore Funeral in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to his career, Kenneth also raised a family and was an active member of his community. He had a passion for travel. Kenneth would take his family on trips such as Pikes Peak and the Royal Gorge in Colorado. Branson, Missouri was a favorite as he would take his family there almost every summer.
He was a member of Asbury United Methodist church, Seekers Class, attended Sunday School classes, Wednesday night dinners, and joined the Faith Builders (a men's breakfast group for widowers) after the passing of his wife in 2015.
The fact that Kenneth joined a breakfast group will not be a surprise to anyone who knew him. Kenneth was well known for his love of food, especially for having a sweet-tooth. Often the only leftovers he would take from family meals would be extra desserts. Despite having preferences, when asked what his favorite meal was, Kenneth would reply "the one in front of me."
In the years before his passing, Kenneth assured close family and friends that he was both mentally and spiritually prepared for this eventuality. He had "done everything" he wanted to do and would be ready to take his place by Nancy's side when the time came.
Kenneth will be lovingly remembered as a sweet, kind, considerate man and a great father.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his father Kenneth D. Jennings, his mother Gladys Inez (Anthony) Jennings, and his wife Nancy Jennings. He is survived by four children: Kenneth Jennings, Jr (and wife Mona), Joe Jennings (and wife Gayla), Stan Jennings, and Beth Highfill; six grandchildren: Melanie, Anna, Dawn, Kerri, Dusty, and Shawn; and three great-grandchildren: Ashton, Vincent, and Olivia.
Per his wishes, there will be a brief public service for Kenneth at Moore's Eastlawn Chapel 1908 S. Memorial Tulsa, OK 74112 on Friday, July 15th at 10:00 am followed by a private burial in Chelsea.