Gary Jennings

Jennings, Gary Lee Comstock Township, MI Gary, age 76, was surrounded by family and passed away on Monday morning, December 14, 2020 after an 8-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Gary was born at PIP hospital in Plainwell, Michigan on December 16, 1943. The 2nd of 3 children born to parents Gilbert Leonard Jennings and Sally Massey Jennings. He graduated from Otsego High School in 1962. After high school Gary attended Western Michigan University where he earned a Bachelors' of Science degree, a Masters' of Arts degree, and was a member of the 1966 Western Michigan University Broncos MAC Championship football team. In high school he met his future wife Linda, and they dated until they were married on June 6, 1964, while they were both still in college. After graduating college Gary landed a job as and Industrial Arts teacher at Comstock High School where he taught various Woodworking, Tech Ed, and Residential Construction classes for over 33 years. During his tenure as an educator he also served as the Department Head for Vocational Education and coached numerous sports, his favorite of which was football. Gary was a talented craftsman and in 1975 he went into business for himself as a home builder and built numerous homes and completed countless remodeling and furniture projects under the title Gary Jennings, Builder until he retired full time in 2000. Gary was known as a gifted athlete and in 1996 he was inducted into the Otsego High School athletic Hall of Fame. Family was his greatest treasure and the joy of his life. He loved spending time with family and cherished summers at the family's cottage on Pine Lake. He was an avid hunter, shooter, and sportsmen and loved chasing birds in the field with his Brittanys. Gary served as the Vice-President of Pheasants Forever of Southwest Michigan for over 30 years and was a proud American patriot and lifetime member of the NRA. Gary is preceded in death by his father, Gilbert, and his mother, Sally. He is survived by his spouse Linda, and their three children Kim (Tom) Clancy of Augusta, MI, Troy (Jody) Jennings of Galesburg, MI, and Kyle Jennings of Richland, MI; seven grandchildren, Morgan Jennings, Brolan Jennings, Ashlee Pietenpol, Harry Clancy, Grace Clancy, Danny Clancy, and Caroline Clancy; and his two siblings Soni Mackin (Jim) of Dundee, and Jacque Carter (Scott) of Kalamazoo. A memorial celebration is being planned for spring of 2021. The Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland, Chapel is assisting Gary's family. In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorial donations to the following organizations that Gary proudly supported: Pheasants Forever – Chapter 76 - https://www.pheasantsforever.org Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan - https://www.hospiceswmi.org/give/ St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now Western Michigan University School of Nursing - https://wmich.edu/nursing Personal messages and/or favorite memories of may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com