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Herbert Jennings Obituary

JENNINGS, HERBERT N "SKIP" Age 82, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 12, 2014. He was preceded in death by his wife of more than 24 years - Anna D - in September 2013. He is survived by his three children, Julie Aarup of Eaton Rapids, Jackie Fondren of Haslett, and Gregor Jennings of Macon, GA, along with five grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Skip was born to Frederick and Lillian Jennings of Toledo, OH on March 30, 1931. He, his parents, and his two brothers, Edward "Ed" and Lawrence "Dutch", moved to the town of Aurelius Center, MI shortly after his birth where his family operated Jennings General Store which also boasted fuel service and a dance hall. They were also instrumental in bringing telephone service to the rural community with the operator station being located in the rear of the store. He graduated from Mason High School in 1950. While a student there he was involved in many activities including student government and drama. He was a standout athlete, competing on the varsity baseball team all four years. He was a starting player on the Football team that won the state championship in 1949. Although unable to successfully make the reserve basketball team his freshman year, by his sophomore year he had not only made the reserve team as a starting player, he was elevated to the varsity squad by mid-season. Following high school he initially attended Michigan State University where he was elected as president of the incoming freshman class. He shortly thereafter transferred to Albion College. He served his country as a member of the National Guard where he enlisted as a Private but was quickly promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant of the Motor Pool. In 1954, he started the H. N. Jennings Company, a wholesale food brokerage firm, where he was the youngest person to date as an owner of a brokerage company in the state of Michigan. He was responsible for bringing such currently common staples as Plochman's mustard barrels to the state and was instrumental in the creation of Randall Great Northern Beans, working with the Randall brothers of Tekonsha to sell their entire initial stock to retailers in two days' time. In the late 1960's he sold his food brokerage firm and relocated from the Lansing area to Comstock Park, taking a position as a wholesale carpet salesman. In 1982, he again formed another company of his own, Skip Jennings & Associates, selling wholesale carpeting throughout both the upper and lower peninsulas. He continued to own and operate the company through the early 2000's when he finally sold the company and began his retirement. Skip led an active, outdoor lifestyle which included a diverse number of winter activities such as snow skiing, snowmobiling, and deer hunting, but his greatest passion - motorcycling - required warmer weather. He started riding a motorcycle while still in high school, a vintage Indian being his first form of transportation prior to owning an automobile. In the 1960's, he competed in Hare Scrambles, but for the early part of the 1970's he gave up racing in favor of trail riding with his children and friends. He was a founding member of the Michigan Trail Club, a group of families who banded together to purchase property near Luther, MI for the principal purpose of having a convenient location to gather to ride motorcycles. For more than a decade he spent virtually every weekend from early spring to late fall camping on the property and riding dirt bikes. The group even made a ten family pilgrimage with motorcycles in tow to ride the Black Hills of South Dakota. By the late 1970s with his children growing up he once again returned to racing. Initially beginning as an opportunity to allow his son to begin motocross racing, he soon discovered that as long he was already at the race track that he also could resume racing. Skip competed in the Woodsman class for racers aged 30 and over, and although already above the age of 50, enjoyed a successful amateur career, routinely finishing on the podium while competing against much younger riders. Although the dirt bikes were retired in his later years, he acquired another road motorcycle in his late 70s and continued to ride even in the last year of his life. Skip will be missed by many friends, family, and business associates for his humorous manner and his uncanny ability to entertain with engaging stories. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Those who wish to make a memorial contribution may do so to the Humane Society of West Michigan or the American Heart Association in his name. "Oh, hell, yeah."

Published by Grand Rapids Press from Mar. 15 to Mar. 16, 2014.
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Memories and Condolences
for Herbert Jennings

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My dear friend Herbert Norman Jennings. When
writing about Skippy, a story seems compulsory. I
will never be able to spin a yarn as he did, but
just typing his given name brings one to mind. As
a boy one day in Skippy's garage on Montgomery
Street, I inquired as to his real name. Skippy
was being cagey with his reply, and would only say
"HN." His brother Dutch waved me over, and told me
in his flamboyant manner, "HN stands for Hairy
Knuckles." Oh how Dutch laughed.

Over the years I'd call Skippy "Hairy Knuckles"
now and again, we both got a kick out of it.

Skippy was my neighbor for only a short time, but
they were my formative years, and he had an
enormous impact on my life. Skippy was one of
very few adults that would have a real
conversation with me as a child. Skippy engaged
everything he did with wholehearted enthusiasm. He
was an amazing man and I am blessed to have know
him.

Another famous motorsickle rider is know for this
quote "While alive, he lived." I cannot think of a
more appropriate quote for Skippy, while alive, he
lived, and boy did he live well. Farewell my
friend, until we met again. I love ya man, oh
hell yeah!

James

March 23, 2014

We have been friends with Skip for many, many years and we have so many fond memories of the times that we had together. We had a lot of parties together and he was always the life of the party. Anyone who knew Skip will never forget him because he was "unforgettable".

Art & Mary Hartig

March 20, 2014

I have many good memories of Skip and our high school days. We played baseball together and were on the Mason championship football team. At lunch time Skip wanted my home made sandwiches and I would trade him for his store bought ones. A good friend for many year. Don Scutt Mason, MI

March 17, 2014

Uncle Skip held a special place in the hearts of my family. My husband loved to listen to Skip tell great stories and my son Jake loved to ride the Gator! I know Aunt Annie was waiting for Skip to arrive in heaven and they will hitting all the great polka spots. Julie, Jackie and Gregor we will keep you and your families in our prayers.

Margo Martin

March 17, 2014

Rest in peace Uncle Skip. Thanks for all of the great memories with Aunt Annie over the years. Prayers and condolences for all of your friends and family. I am sure you are roosting those freshly prepared dirt bike tracks in heaven.

Kyle Gryzanoski

March 17, 2014

Skip was a great neighbor, and friend. in the short three years we have known him he has always been kind. hearing his stories sipping on red juice at the czarniecki's was always a joy in the summer. Our son always loved his john deere gator and the rides. The summer will sound different with out him on his gator visiting neighbors. we miss you skippy.....

Brad Selleck

March 16, 2014

Skip was one of greatest presons I had the privledge of knowing. I will miss him.

Clem Piggott

March 16, 2014

May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.

American Heart Association

March 15, 2014

My wife Annie and I had the great good fortune to live next to Skip and his Annie for several years, and we took pride in the fact that we shared the same wedding anniversary. Skip was a good neighbor, a good friend, and a fine man. He was always eager to help. He was upbeat and positive and told a great story. We shall miss him.

Gary Karasinski

March 15, 2014

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