Obituary for Jimmy Lee Jennings
Jimmy Lee "Papa Jim" Jennings
Jimmy Lee "Papa Jim" Jennings, 76, passed away on July 25, 2021 in Bakersfield, CA.
Jim was born to Bobby Allen Jennings and Rose Marie (Henson) Jennings in Bakersfield, CA on March 17, 1945. He attended South High School and was a part of the graduating class of 1963. Jim married Darlene Bumgarner on March 13, 1992 and shared 28 years of marriage until her passing in February 2020. For a number of years during his early adulthood, Jim was an owner and operator of Steam Genie Carpet Cleaning. He eventually retired from Tricor Refining LLC, formerly Witco Chemical Golden Bear, after 45 years of dedication.
Jim was a fun-loving, humorous man who was never at a loss for words. He was affectionately known as "Papa Jim" by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his earlier years, he loved his work as an exercise boy at the Sacramento horse racing tracks. Jim bought his first home in 1972, and he and his family, many friends, and many neighbors enjoyed many memories by the pool. Over the years, Jim played and coached baseball, he was a member of a bowling league, and he loved being a member of the "Clampers" camping club with the Aerie 93 Eagles' Lodge. He also loved golfing with his longtime friends and especially his grandson, Stephen Hall. Jim had a love for traveling and enjoyed an Alaskan cruise, a trip to the holy land of Israel, and he enjoyed his frequent trips to the Dumont Dunes to play with his off-road toys. One of his most favorite trips was to Washington D.C. He was a part of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and held the presidential position from 1983-1984. Jim raised his family amongst the many Eagles' activities throughout the years.
Jimmy Lee Jennings is survived by his
brother Bobby Gene Jennings, his
sister Doris Marie Geary, his three children Phylliss Taylor, Tamra Hall (Rick Day), and Jimmy Allen Jennings (Katie Jennings), his two stepdaughters Laura Swank (Chris Swank) and Aimee Gustufson, his eleven grandchildren Cristin (Rodman) Barraza, Leslee Rodman, Stephen Hall, Gary Jennings, Michael Jennings, Courtney Forbes, Jeremiah Jennings, Devin Guillemette, Katelynn Westmoreland, Kendall Black, and Cameron Black, his nine great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He loved everyone very much.
He is preceded in death by his father Bobby Allen Jennings, his mother Rose Marie Jennings, and by his sisters Patricia Ann Townsley, Sharon Joy Hulin, and Linda Rose Jennings.
Per Jim's final wishes, there will be no services, and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later time.
Jimmy Lee "Papa Jim" Jennings, 76, passed away on July 25, 2021 in Bakersfield, CA.
Jim was born to Bobby Allen Jennings and Rose Marie (Henson) Jennings in Bakersfield, CA on March 17, 1945. He attended South High School and was a part of the graduating class of 1963. Jim married Darlene Bumgarner on March 13, 1992 and shared 28 years of marriage until her passing in February 2020. For a number of years during his early adulthood, Jim was an owner and operator of Steam Genie Carpet Cleaning. He eventually retired from Tricor Refining LLC, formerly Witco Chemical Golden Bear, after 45 years of dedication.
Jim was a fun-loving, humorous man who was never at a loss for words. He was affectionately known as "Papa Jim" by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his earlier years, he loved his work as an exercise boy at the Sacramento horse racing tracks. Jim bought his first home in 1972, and he and his family, many friends, and many neighbors enjoyed many memories by the pool. Over the years, Jim played and coached baseball, he was a member of a bowling league, and he loved being a member of the "Clampers" camping club with the Aerie 93 Eagles' Lodge. He also loved golfing with his longtime friends and especially his grandson, Stephen Hall. Jim had a love for traveling and enjoyed an Alaskan cruise, a trip to the holy land of Israel, and he enjoyed his frequent trips to the Dumont Dunes to play with his off-road toys. One of his most favorite trips was to Washington D.C. He was a part of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and held the presidential position from 1983-1984. Jim raised his family amongst the many Eagles' activities throughout the years.
Jimmy Lee Jennings is survived by his
brother Bobby Gene Jennings, his
sister Doris Marie Geary, his three children Phylliss Taylor, Tamra Hall (Rick Day), and Jimmy Allen Jennings (Katie Jennings), his two stepdaughters Laura Swank (Chris Swank) and Aimee Gustufson, his eleven grandchildren Cristin (Rodman) Barraza, Leslee Rodman, Stephen Hall, Gary Jennings, Michael Jennings, Courtney Forbes, Jeremiah Jennings, Devin Guillemette, Katelynn Westmoreland, Kendall Black, and Cameron Black, his nine great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He loved everyone very much.
He is preceded in death by his father Bobby Allen Jennings, his mother Rose Marie Jennings, and by his sisters Patricia Ann Townsley, Sharon Joy Hulin, and Linda Rose Jennings.
Per Jim's final wishes, there will be no services, and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later time.