Jimmie Neil Jennings

Jimmie Neil Jennings of San Angelo, Texas, peacefully passed away surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at the age of 81 years old. He was born on October 31, 1940, to Treat C Jennings and Esther Holland Jennings (nèe Murphy) in Norton, Texas. Jim was the fourth of five siblings. He graduated from Norton High School and was offered a college football scholarship but turned it down in order to start a new chapter with the love of his life. On May 21, 1960, Jim married Dianna Raye Everett in a ceremony at Norton Baptist Church. Together, Jim and Di created a beautiful life with their cherished daughters DeeDee, Delin, and Dinene. Jim could most often be found tinkering in his garage, listening to classic country music, or watching football. For more than 30 years he was a highly valued member of the WTU workplace, first as a lineman and then finally as an Operations Manager. After his retirement, he and his beloved wife enjoyed traveling the country in their RV. Throughout their life together they spent much quality time adventuring in Ruidoso, Branson, Canyon Lake, and many other places.

Jim went by many names including husband, Daddy, Grandaddy, & Pappy, and he more than lived up to those names. He filled his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with more love, joy, and laughter than can be expressed. Jim started many traditions that his family still follows today. One of those traditions was that of the steadfast Cowboys fan. He instilled in his daughters his knowledge and love of football which they then passed on to their children. Jim honored his daughters by lovingly selecting the newborn outfits in which each of his grandchildren left the hospital and entered the world. He was a culinary wizard taking seemingly simple ingredients and creating foods that his daughters and grandchildren would request again and again such as potato chip sandwiches, peanut butter and syrup pancakes, cornbread and milk, and many more. He loved to play his favorite Ray Stevens songs knowing that it filled the house with giggles. Above all else, he never let any of his family and friends forget that he loved them immensely.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents Treat and Holland Jennings, his brothers Bill and Ed Jennings, and his sisters Dorothy Rusk and Nell Pittman.  He is also preceded in death by his dear friend Sam Calderon.

He is survived by his loving wife of over 60 years, Dianna, his daughters DeeDee Kimbro and her husband Billy of Mertzon, Texas, Delin Jones and her husband Bryan of Joshua, Texas, and Dinene Rusler and her husband Waylan of Springtown, Texas.  Jim is also survived by his sister-in-law Oleta Jennings, brother-in-law Jerry Pittman, and several nieces and nephews. Jim will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Shyra, Kirsten, Quinton, Adriana, Jordan, Dakota, and Ashlee, as well as 8 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held for Jim on Friday, July 22, 2022, at 2:00 pm at Lange Funeral home in Ballinger, Texas with Jonathan Burgess officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Jim requested that his mother and beloved wife, Di, be honored with donations made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The family wishes to thank his incredible nurse from Hospice of San Angelo & the staff at Sagecrest Alzheimer's Care Center in San Angelo for their care of Jim.

Guests may register online at www.ballingerfuneralhome.com