Fred Bryan Jennings Sr.

Fred B. Jennings, Sr., 96, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2011, at an assisted living facility in San Antonio, TX. Graveside services will be at 3:00p.m. Thursday, August 4, 2011, at Atoka Cemetery in Coleman County, TX. There will be a gathering of family and friends at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory from 5:00p.m to 7:00p.m. on Wednesday evening and then again from 11:00a.m to 1:00p.m prior to the graveside service on Thursday.

Fred was born on September 14, 1914 in Long Branch, TX (Eastland County) to the late Robert and Eudora House Jennings. Growing up in the Big Country area, he was a long time resident of Abilene. He married Ruth Karl Hothan on November 16, 1940 in Ovalo, TX and she passed away in February of 1997. Mr. Jennings was self-employed as an accountant and auditor before retiring. He moved to the San Antonio area in 2004 to be with his son and daughter-in-law.

He accomplished many honorable mentions within his lifetime. In 1945, Mr. Jennings and the late civic leader Ben Richey were among the founders of Abilene's first Optimist Club. The first major project of that club was launching a campaign to found Abilene Boys Ranch in 1947, which was later, renamed Ben Richey Boys Ranch. Fred was a member of the Masonic Lodge, a member of South Side Baptist Church where he taught Vacation Bible School for many years, and he also coached Summer League baseball for about 10 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and two brothers, Hugh and Ray Jennings.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Bryan and Sharon Jennings of Helotes, TX; and nephews, Lee Jennings of Englewood, Colorado, Jerry Jennings of Ft. Worth, Texas, Jack Jennings of Dallas, Texas and Jon Jennings of Wimberly, Texas.

Pallbearers will be Don Hothan, Kenneth Farrington, Lee Jennings, Jerry Jennings, Jack Jennings and Jon Jennings. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Thompson and Archibald Barasole.

Memorials may be made to Ben Richey Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 6839, Abilene, TX 79608 or Abilene Optimist Club, 8542 Saddlecreek Rd., Abilene, TX 79602.