Dr. Erwin R. Jennings "Burl"

Dr. Erwin Reeves "Burl" Jennings,passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 29, 2011.
He leaves a 50 year legacy of love and service in the Golden Isles.

Erwin, or " Burl" and "Dr. J" as he was affectionately known, was born in Union, South Carolina on October, 23, 1921. After his father died when he was six, his mother, Josephine Sibley Jennings moved the family to Milledgeville, Georgia, where he spent his youth. He attended Emory University, graduating in 1943 with a B.A. Degree. He received flight training from the armed services, yet was told that our country was in dire need of more surgeons due to a scarcity created by World War II. Becoming a physician had been his desire from an early age; he thus gladly attended the University of Maryland Medical School, graduating with his medical degree in 1946. He completed his surgical internship in 1948. As a surgeon and Captain in the U.S. Army, Burl was sent overseas to Okinawa for two years. In addition to his official duties, he and his team administered medical care and kindness to those in need at a nearby leper colony at Airakuen.

Burl returned to the U.S. in 1949, and married his sweetheart, June Winn, a lovely and talented surgical nurse. After a brief stint at Ft. Belvoir in Virginia, Burl was honorably discharged from the Army. The couple returned to Baltimore where Burl completed his residency as chief resident in surgery at University of Maryland Hospital in 1953.

After a tour of the southern coast to identify towns in need of a surgeon, Burl moved with his family to Brunswick, Georgia to start a private practice of general and thoracic surgery. Imbued by his strong faith in God and love of mankind, he dedicated his life and expertise to compassionately care for his patients around the clock for more than 30 years.

His appointments included Chief of Surgery, Glynn-Brunswick Memorial Hospital, 1956-57; President of the Glynn County Medical Society, 1964; and, Chief of Staff, 1965. Burl was President of the Georgia division of the American College of Surgeons in 1966. He co-founded the Glynn County Heart Fund,which has over the years donated much needed life-saving equipment to the hospital. As President of the Georgia Trauma Society in 1974, he worked to reduce ambulance and healthcare teams' response times to aid accident victims. In 1985, Burl served as President of the Georgia Surgical Society. He also was a Clinical Professor of Surgery for the Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Georgia, from 1985 to 1989.

Burl always believed in bringing the latest techniques in surgery and medicine to the Golden Isles to help patients in need. He actively worked to advance patient care with physicians from around the country, and was the author or co-author of numerous published articles in national medical journals concerning innovative techniques and case studies. His pioneering efforts covered many areas, including the treatment of heart disease, kidney disease, and blood vessel repair.

After he retired from private practice, Burl invented and patented a semi-automatic, microprocessor-based suturing device with co-inventor Jamie Klatt. This device allows a physician to effortlessly grasp a suturing needle between two metal arms, adding efficiency, speed, and safety benefits.

Known also as a dedicated community servant, Burl combined ingenuity with an appreciation of the area's history and natural assets to try to improve the quality of life in the Golden Isles. Over the years, he volunteered and, at times, spearheaded projects involving the Chamber of Commerce, the port of Brunswick, the Altamaha River and Canal, downtown Brunswick, and Overlook Park. He was named "Man of the Year" in 1955 by the Jaycees for his outstanding community and professional work.

A loving and devoted husband, father, and friend, Burl had a zest for life which was contagious. Despite his many hours at work, he always knew how to make his family and friends feel special and loved unconditionally. His warm smile lit up a room, and he loved to tease and laugh heartily.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his beloved bride and partner, June Winn Jennings; his daughters and "little angels", Junie Elizabeth Jennings and Vicki Roberts Jennings; his brothers, Harry and Sib Jennings, and his sister, Josephine Jennings Brown.

He is survived by his daughter, Debbie Jennings Osgood (Jonathan) of St. Simons Island and Boston; grandchildren, Christopher Jennings Osgood of St. Simons Island, David Sanders Osgood (Caitlin) and daughter, Alexis, of Hingham, Mass., and Sarah Osgood Strangas (Nick) of Eliot, Maine.

A celebration of his life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 4, 2011, at the First Presbyterian Church of Brunswick, where he was a long-time member and former youth Sunday School teacher. Reverends Dawn Mayes and John Law will be officiating. The family will welcome friends for a reception Sunday from 12:00-1:30 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Glynn County Heart Fund, 101 Plantation Chase, St. Simons Island, Georgia 31522 or The First Presbyterian Church of Brunswick, 1105 Union Street, Brunswick, GA 31520.

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.