Irving Anthony Jennings Jr.

Irving Anthony Jennings Jr. passed away peacefully on May 17, 2022, at the Veterans Home of California - Barstow, California, at 96, one day short of his 80th enlistment anniversary. Irving was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on August 30, 1925, to Irving Anthony and Emogene Mercer Jennings. Irving Anthony Jennings Sr was one of the founders of Jennings, Strouss, Salmon, Trask, and a candidate for the US Senate.

Irving’s mother was a community activist and one of the first women to hold an office in the Arizona legislature.

Irving was the oldest of four children. His siblings were Roderic Mercer Jennings, Terry Marshal Jennings, and Judith Ann Jennings.

While in school, he engaged in numerous entrepreneurial activities, both independently and in partnership with his father and his Uncle James Riley Jennings. Shortly before high school graduation, Irving enlisted in the Navy on May 18, 1943, and went into active duty on July 1, 1943.

Attending Fire Control and Advanced Fire Control School, Irving distinguished himself as the first in his class. He was sent to Hawaii and then, through a clerical error, dispatched to Ninth Seabees on Tinian in the Mariana Islands. Robert Webb Jennings, a first cousin, came across his file, noted his fire control training, and transferred Irving to the USS Case. Onboard, Irving manned the Mark 37 Gun Fire Control System with 5-inch by 5-inch (38 Caliber) guns for anti-aircraft and other screening activities on the destroyer.

Stationed in San Diego as part of the Naval Military Police at the end of the war, the Navy honorably discharged Irving on March 31, 1946.

Following the war, Irving attended both Stanford University and the University of Arizona before pursuing a career in farming, particularly in Rainbow Valley. Following his interest in agriculture, Irving managed Northern Water Company. He later founded and sold Systems Water and Sewer Utility to Del Webb. Irving enjoyed his time at the Dell Webb Corporation. He supervised farming interests, water and sewer services, and commercial and community development.

Additionally, Irving served as the director and board member of the International Organization of the Water Pollution Control Federation.

Irving launched his own company in 1967, creating a community development known as the Village of Oakcreek in Sedona, followed by Kachina Village in Flagstaff, Green Valley in Tucson, and Cave Creek in the Phoenix area, and other developments in New Mexico. Later he would work in water and sewer services for Getty Oil in Apple Valley and Victorville, California.

Irving married Lois Marguerite Shill on December 22, 1950. They had five children, Irving Anthony Jennings, Jessica Lee Jennings, Marguerite Moriarty (Tim), David Shill Jennings (Carol), and John Stephen Jennings (Lauren). Irving and Lois divorced in 1975. Irving married Julie Sulivan on September 24, 1976, in Orange County, California. They remained together until she died in 2013.

Irving was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and wife, Julie. His sister, Judith Richardson, survives Irving, as well as his former wife, Lois Jennings, five children, step-daughter, Donna Samantha Lem, grandchildren, Dominique Jennings (Ned), Irving Anthony Jennings (Pavani), John Christian Jennings (Amy), Chelsea Moriarty (Wes), Sean Moriarty, Trevor Moriarty, Jamie Thompson (Twist), Ian Jennings, Joseph Jennings, Kristen Jennings Crockett, Jason Sterling Jennings, Benjamin David Jennings, Jonathan Gregory Jennings, Brandon

(BJ) Lem (deceased), Tyler Lem, and Madison Lem, and eleven great-grandchildren. In addition, he often expressed his interest and love for his nieces and nephews, including Leslie Gates, Lynn Dennen, Diane Jennings, Gail Jennings Stone (Erik), Terry Jennings, Chad Jennings, George Richardson, and Randolph Richardson.

Irving spent nearly the last decade of his life in the Veterans Home at Barstow. He loved the staff and his fellow residents. He made each day memorable with small acts of service and a cheerful and optimistic disposition. Nicknamed Smiley, Irving grew flowers to share with the staff and fellow residents, pursued hobbies, used his computer to continue to learn, visited the infirmed and elderly, and stayed in close contact with his family.

The family extends special thanks to the compassionate and caring medical staff, including Wayne Ulmer, Lionel Lao, Gloria S., and others.

Wayne went above and beyond his duties to ensure that Irving stayed close to his family. As a result, the entire family grew to love talking with Wayne as he put them in touch with their father.

Additionally, Lionel kept the family well informed about their father’s health condition.

Irving loved the cafeteria staff; he frequently expressed appreciation for their skill and creativity. He was proud of the facility and grateful to be able to spend his last days there.

The family also thanks Juan Huerta-Reyes and Inland Valley Hospice for their special care.

Additionally, the family expresses profound gratitude to the following for their efforts to keep the Veterans Home of Barstow open, including Rep. Jay Obernolte, San Bernardino County Supervisor and former 8th District Congressman Paul Cook, San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe, former Barstow Mayor Julie Hackbarth-McIntyre, State Senator Shannon Grove, Assemblyman Thurston “Smitty” Smith, and former Victorville Mayor Gloria Garcia and their communities and constituents.

The National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona will be his future resting place. We would appreciate any memories you may have of Irving; please send your memories to [email protected].

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