Stephen Ray Jennings

Stephen Ray Jennings, 57, a loving husband, father, son, brother, friend, entrepreneur, inventor, golfer, poet, punster, and truly a man after God's own heart, passed on to glory after a lengthy battle with cancer on March 4, 2015, surrounded by his adoring wife, Susan, and his family.

Funeral: 2 p.m. Monday at Legacy Church of Christ, 8801 Midcities Blvd., North Richland Hills. Interment: Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park. Visitation: All are encouraged to gather and share memories 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the Narthex and Chapel of Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home.

Memorials: In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests memorials be sent to Sarcoma Foundation of America, 9899 Main St., Suite 204, Damascuc, Md. 20872, or curesarcoma.org, where the family will be notified.

Steve graduated from Fort Worth Christian School in 1975, where he was quarterback and Mr. FWC. Upon Steve's graduation, he wrote in Susan's 8th grade FWC annual, "You're a cute little girl...see ya later!" Little did they know, "see ya later" would be 37 years down the road, at their wedding.

After high school, Steve attended Oklahoma Christian University and Harding University before returning to Fort Worth to become a bricklayer. By 1980, he started Jennings Masonry, and eventually would found or co-found several masonry and concrete enterprises, including Jennings Contractors, Brick Doctor, Jennings Wall Systems, Concreations, and Advanced Wall Systems. His projects dot North Texas and Oklahoma and include over 150 miles of masonry screening walls, retaining walls, and entry features of residential subdivisions. He loved creating new designs and involving others in his inventions. He also held two patents related to masonry wall systems.

Steve's love of golf and friends took him back to the tee box weekly, where he was often accused of swinging so hard he'd "come out of his shoes." Steve led a colorful life and loved to involve himself in his children's interests. He enjoyed reading to Susan's preschool kids in character, making them laugh and smile. Steve's intense love for Susan and for his children was relentless, and Susan's children quickly became very dear to him as well. While truly a "son of thunder," Steve's faith, his tender heart, and his capacity to love defined him and only grew during his fight with cancer. His wit and sense of humor never left him.

Survivors include Steve's devoted wife, Susan Jennings; his children, Jessica, Alyssa, Duke, and Jacob Jennings; Susan's children, Mallory, Kristin, and Trey Wood; mother, Ellen Jennings; father, Alvin Jennings; sisters, Bonnie Bell (Norman) and Beth Cope (John); brothers Mark Jennings (Cheryl) and James Jennings (Lisa); sister-in-law, Patty Holcombe-Law; brother-in-law Jim Holcombe (Debbie); aunts, Donna Bolton (David), Mary Jennings, Ruby Olson (Roger), Betty Whittaker (Mike), and Marie Pennock; uncles, Dr. Duke Jennings (Sanet) and Dr. Richard Kristianson (Joyce); numerous nieces and nephews; cousins, and a host of friends.

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