James H. Jennings

James H. Jennings, 86, a retired World Bank senior executive, died in his sleep on Saturday, October 10, 2015, after battling Parkinson's Disease for over fifteen years. Jim Jennings was born in rural west Tennessee, and after serving in the Navy in 1946-48, graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1952 with a BA in Economics. He worked as a stockbroker for Merrill Lynch for nine years in New York City and Charlotte, NC, and joined the staff of the World Bank in Washington, DC, in 1963 as a financial analyst. He held various positions in lending operations and finance, and traveled to 25 different foreign countries to evaluate loan projects. He retired in 1991 as director of the Loan and Trust Funds Department. He served on the Board of Directors of the World Bank-Fund Staff Federal Credit Union for several years. (It was noted at his retirement party that he had only used four days of sick leave in his 28-year career!)

Jim Jennings was a golf enthusiast and a long-time member of Bethesda Country Club, where he served nine years on the Board of Directors and was Club President in 1993-94.

Survivors include his devoted wife of 60 years, Odile, and their four children, Jay (Delia), Patrick (Laura), Luke (Teresa) and Lisa Jennings Swaine (Kieron); eight grandchildren (William, Matthew, Leah, Graham, Robert, Lily, Carly and Paul); and one great granddaughter (Madelyn.)

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2015 in the Chapel of Gawler's Funeral Home, 5130 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. at Gawler's.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.

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