Jackie O'Neal Ennis

Jack Ennis passed away at home where he was surrounded by beloved family and friends who were visiting over several weeks telling him one final time how much he is loved, honored and respected. His wife and sons were close by at the end.

Jack was born in Raleigh to Victor and Virginia Ennis. The family lived near McGees Crossroads when Jack was young, later moving to Benson where he graduated from Benson High School in 1958. In 1961, Jack married Lois Messer. He served in the Army Reserves in the early 60's. They had a son, Randy Ennis in 1967. Jack and Lois were divorced in 1981.

Jack and Susan James married in 1989 at which time he acquired another son, Beckton James.

Jack attended Campbell University, then worked at Occidental Life Insurance Co where he trained as a computer programmer. He went on to work for the NC State Departments of Administration and Health and Human Services as a computer programmer. Leaving the State for a few years he worked with Electronic Data Processing for a year and then returned to State Government where he worked until he retired in 2001. Jack received the Order of the Long Leaf Pines for his dedicated service.

One of Jack's strong desires was to travel across the United States which he and Susan did for 10 weeks in 2001 and twice more over the years for about 6 weeks each time. They loved seeing the beauty and diversity of the land in our country. Susan managed to entice Jack in venturing over to Europe to visit Beckton in Berlin, Germany and into Prague, Czechoslovakia for New Year's. Some years later they traveled to Italy and planned a trip to Great Britain, but that trip was cancelled by the arrival of COVID.

He and Susan were blessed with four grandchildren.

Jack was an avid golfer from the early 60's until recently when he could no longer play due to the progression of his Parkinson's Disease. The love of the game never left him. He was a member of Pine Hollow Golf Course for over 40 years where he played. He enjoyed playing while on their cross country trips including Torrey Pines in San Diego and at Pebble Beach, California.

Jack and Susan also enjoyed skiing for many years going to Virginia, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Utah and Colorado. They also especially loved the whitewater rafting tip on one leg of the Colorado River.

Jack was a passionate supporter of collegiate sports, primarily NC State. His true love in sports was baseball. He played baseball in high school, coached Randy's Little League baseball team, was a regular attendee to NC State's baseball games for many years, and finally got to see them play in the Baseball College World Series in Omaha.

Jack was most proud of his sons and the four grandchildren, taking them on many trips to the mountains and the coast; going on rafting trips, horseback riding and ziplining.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Susan Wallace Ennis, two sons and their spouses, Randy Ennis (Liz) and Beckton James (Mindy) and their respective grandchildren; Barrett Ennis, Graham Ennis, Rebekah James and Thomas James.

Jack is being cremated and a Memorial Celebration of Life will be held, DBA.

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