James “Jim” Ivan Jennings

Wasilla resident James “Jim” Ivan Jennings, 87, died July 23, 2012, of natural causes at home with his wife and family.

A memorial service in honor of Jim is at 3 p.m., July 28, at the Wasilla Senior Center Wasilla with Gary Oathout officiating.

Jim was born July 31, 1924, in Custer, S.D., to Fred and Minerva (Carmichael) Jennings.

Jim was a World War II veteran who served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Cambria and saw action in Guam and the Philippines. He also served in the Pacific Theater.

He worked as a contractor in the construction field, but was most proud of his work in the missionary field as a non-denominational preacher of the gospel, where he traveled to the Virgin Islands, Mexico, Guatemala, Africa, as well as Romania, Yugoslavia, the Ukraine, Switzerland and France. He loved to do Bible studies and reading, which he enjoyed doing at home.

Jim celebrated his 50th birthday by running a foot race with his kids. To their amazement, he easily won. He also climbed a tree that day just to prove he could.

On Jim’s 78th birthday, his wife Bonnie delivered a lunch to him at a job site in Sutton. She found him atop some scaffolding wearing his hardhat and tool belt, busily working on an addition to a house.

His family said they were looking forward to celebrating his 88th birthday with him this next week and will remember Jim as a man who greatly enjoyed his eight children, 18 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. His family is comforted knowing that he died as he wished at home with his family and no medical assistance. He had faith in a good and loving God, with whom he longed to be.

Surviving are his wife, Bonnie of Wasilla; sons, Jim Jennings Jr. of Moses Lake, Wash., Paul Jennings of Delta Junction, Sam Jennings of Spokane, Wash., Jay Jennings of Wasilla and Ray Jennings of Anchorage; daughters, Lianne Schwartz of Wasilla and Mariella Kruger of Palmer; and a host of dear family and friends.

Preceding him in death was his son, Nick Jennings, in 1990.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts in memory of Jim be deposited to account No. 5975077 at Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union.

Arrangements were entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.