He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles F. Jenness, Jr. and Phyllis Wright Jenness. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of over 54 years, Muriel Whitlock Jenness; sons, Michael Ryan Jenness (Kiera) and Brandon Whitlock Jenness (Marie); grandchildren, Natalie, Blake, Ryleigh, Brady, and Nola; sisters, Brenda J. Winston and Karen J. Corrigan; five nieces; one nephew; seven cousins; and many other relatives and friends.
Frank was born at Grace Hospital in Richmond on June 8, 1945. His sister, Brenda, joined the family in 1947, and Karen in 1959, and in later life, Brenda’s husband, C.G. Winston, became a brother to him. Frank was a member of the Varina High School class of 1963, met his future wife, Muriel, there and they were married at Pioneer Baptist Church on December 17, 1966. In 1968, Frank graduated from the University of Richmond, where he was co-captain of the 1967 baseball team, and an All-Southern Conference first team shortstop with a batting average of .391, the second highest in the league that year. He also played for the Harrisonburg Turks, an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Frank later earned his Master’s Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He served as a medic in the Coast Guard from 1968 to 1972, during the Vietnam War. His sons, Ryan and Brandon, were born in 1976 and 1979 and added an abundance of laughter and joy to his life. Frank taught at Stonewall Jackson Jr. High School in Hanover County, retiring after 26 years of service. During Summer breaks, he worked at Kings Dominion, sold real estate for Century 21, and repaired and sold used cars. After retirement, he worked as a substitute teacher in Hanover and at Enon Elementary in Chesterfield.
Liking to stay busy, he also enjoyed working with his brother-in-law, Hunter, who was a brick mason and general contractor. They built over 25 houses together, and Frank learned building skills that he applied around his own home. He enjoyed traveling, gardening, flying ultra-light planes, chopping wood for his wood stoves, and feeding birds and flying squirrels. He was a longtime member of Laurel Hill United Methodist Church, and in earlier years taught Sunday school, ushered, and served on several committees. He “never met a stranger”, and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
The family will receive friends on Friday, November 19, 2021 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Nelsen Funeral Home, 4650 S. Laburnum Ave., Henrico, VA 23231, and a funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Laurel Hill United Methodist Church, 1919 New Market Rd, Henrico, VA 23231. Interment will follow in the church cemetery, with a reception thereafter in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Frank’s honor to Laurel Hill, or to the Parkinson’s Foundation at parkinson.org. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.nelsenrichmond.com.
