James I. Jennings

James I. Jennings, 94, of Mason City, passed away Friday, November 24, 2023, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 4, 2023, at Grace Evangelical Free Church, 440 N. Illinois Ave., Mason City with Rev. Nick Daugherty officiating. Inurnment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Britt.  Graveside military rites will be conducted by the Britt Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

To view his service on our YouTube channel please click the following link: https://youtu.be/jwtHt5EtAGM 

A memorial visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, December 3^rd at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. in Mason City.

Memorials may be directed to Grace Evangelical Free Church.

James Isiah Jennings, the son of William and Willard Bea (Aulds) Jennings, was born on October 12, 1929, in Alto, Louisiana. Jim grew up in Alto and attended Monroe Community Schools until the eighth grade. At the age of 17, Jim enlisted in the US Air Force and served his country with honor. When Jim was at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, the Army Air Force, which wore uniforms of OD green, separated into the Army and the Air Force.  Jim was in the first squadron to wear the new Air Force Blues. He was stationed in the South Pacific until his honorable discharge in September 1952. During his time in the military, Jim married Juanita Dyer, and together they were blessed with three children: James, Greg, and Kerry. On July 18, 1964, Jim married Sandra Hildebrand at her parent's home in Britt. Their union brought forth a son, Steven. After living in Britt and Mason City for a period of time, they settled permanently in Mason City in 1970. Jim dedicated himself to his work at PPG Industries in Mason City for an impressive span of 35 years. After his retirement from PPG Industries, he went on to become the proud owner and operator of Jennings Paint Center and Jennings River City Glass. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Jim possessed a passion for various recreational pursuits. He particularly enjoyed playing handball, winning the city and state handball tournaments, and engaging in friendly competitions playing poker, cribbage, bridge, and gin. Golf played a significant role in his life as well—a sport where he achieved seven holes-in-one—a testament to his skill.

He was a lifetime member of the Mason City VFW  Post 733 and attended Grace Evangelical Free Church.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sandra; four children, James “Jimmy” (Beth) Jennings of Mason City, Greg (Carol) Jennings of Clear Lake, Kerry (Michael) Floy of Clear Lake, and Steven (Connie) Jennings of Mason City; 11 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Sue (Johnnie) Richard, Bobbie (Jerry) Meadors and Bonnie Jennings;  a sister-in-law, Carol Hildebrand; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Sarah; a great-grandson, Chester; and siblings, Jessie “Cookie” Sullivan, Clyde Jennings, and Dorothy “Dot” Thompson.