John “Jack” Jennings, died Friday, January 26, 2018 at the age of 93, at the ABCM Rehabilitation Centers of Independence East Campus, from natural causes.

Jack was born January 13, 1925 in Waterloo, the son of Leonard John and Elva Rigdon Jennings.

Jack graduated from East High School in Waterloo, where he lettered in baseball and basketball. After graduating from High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy during WWII where he served on the Liberty Ship S.S. Hitchcock.

Jack married Juanita Widdel; they later divorced. He then married Patricia “Patty” Dietz in August 1988; she preceded him in death on February 18, 2016.

Jack was a Fire Fighter with the City of Waterloo for 35 years, retiring as an Officer in 1985.

After returning from war, Jack played baseball at Iowa State Teachers College in 1946. He later went on to sign a professional minor-league baseball contract with the Chicago White Sox in 1947. Jack loved hunting and fishing, one of his favorite memories was hunting geese in Illinois with the great baseball legend, Ted Williams.

Jack was baptized at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church and later on attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waterloo.

Jack also loved dancing and singing, and he was especially fond of Irish songs and singing “When Irish Eyes are Smiling.” He loved the Big Band era of Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller. Jack spent many years dancing at the Electric Park Ballroom.

Jack is survived by two sons: Richard (Barbara Powell) Jennings of Columbia, SC and Jeffrey Jennings of Washington State, four grandchildren, Christopher, David, Michelle and Amanda, three great-grandchildren, Madison, Cole and Declan and a brother, Stanley Jennings of North Carolina.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Patty and a sister Beverly Jennings.