James W. Jennings

James Walsh Jennings, 86, died peacefully on March 5, 2023 surrounded by his family.  Jim was born on January 15, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and grew up in Mount Airy.  Helen Lippincott, the sister of a Princeton classmate, caught Jim’s eye at a garden party in June 1966.  Helen and Jim got married on September 23, 1967.  In true Jennings’ style, they attended the Eagles game at Franklin Field the day after their wedding before heading to Mexico for their honeymoon.  Helen and Jim enjoyed over 56 years together.

Jim was the youngest child of William and Esther Jennings and the brother of his two older sisters Marny Saunders and Anne Torrey, all of whom preceded him in death. In addition to Helen, he is survived by his daughter Aldie Jennings Loubier and his son James “Jay” Jennings, five grandchildren, Aaron, Drew, Cooper, Ryann and Emmett, as well as nieces and nephews.  Enamored with his grandchildren, Jim took every opportunity to spend time with them – whether watching a basketball game or tennis match, riding waves with them in Avalon, zooming around in the golf cart, or sampling freshly baked croissants with strawberry jam.  Jim and Helen loved traveling together.  He had a sharp intellect and was a lifelong learner.  He often became an “expert” in their group travel destinations – resulting in Jim being able to share key nuggets of knowledge along the tour. 

After Chestnut Hill Academy, Jim received a full scholarship to Phillips Exeter Academy and graduated in 1955. He attended Princeton University on a ROTC scholarship and was a member of The University Cottage Club and the Squash Team. Upon graduating in 1959, Jim served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps (Ret. June 15, 1962).  Although he fell in love with the desert during his time at Twentynine Palms, California, Jim decided to move back East to attend University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law.  After his graduation in 1965, Jim began and ended his 37-year legal career at Morgan Lewis & Bockius, where he was a partner for 32 years in the Business and Finance Department. Jim took great pride in being part of the firm’s leadership and mentoring young lawyers.  Over his long career, Jim developed strong friendships with colleagues and clients alike and closed countless M&A and mutual fund deals.  In retirement, Jim returned to the desert where he committed himself to becoming an expert in golf and Sonoran life.  Jim and Helen spent winters at their home in Tucson, AZ where they enjoyed hiking, playing golf and volunteering in their Ventana Canyon community.

Education and philanthropy were extremely important to Jim. He served on the board of the Radian Group, Inc. as well as The Shipley School, where his children graduated, and the Greater Philadelphia YMCA. Jim supported many organizations and associations – especially those focused on student sports and scholarships. While in Tucson, Jim volunteered at Sabino Canyon, was a member of the Ventana Canyon Alliance and supported many other local nonprofits.

Imbued with a competitive spirit from an early age and a natural athlete, Jim played squash, tennis, and golf (a sport he did not take up until his fifties).  He loved his time on the golf course – whether at Gulph Mills Golf Club, Ventana Canyon Golf and Racquet Club or special courses on one of his many trips.  Golf gave him an opportunity to spend time with family and friends.  He continued to be committed to learning and improving his game and often shot his age well into his 80s.  Jim shot a birdie on the 9th hole at Gulph Mills Golf Club the last time he played golf in early December.

Jim especially loved (and hated) watching all Philadelphia sports teams, including the Philadelphia Union in later years.  As a boy, Jim attended the 1948 Eagles Championship game at Franklin Field with his father.  Jim was an Eagles season ticket holder from 1966, and took great pride in their Super Bowl LII win.  Although Jim was not able to attend either the Divisional or NFC Championship games this past NFL season, he watched them on television and was pleased that his immediate family was in attendance in his place!  He grew up a Philadelphia Athletics fan, but joined Phillies nation after the A’s moved out of town.  Jim lived and died with every game in the summer of 1964.  In addition to sports, Jim enjoyed watching Turner Classic movies, doing The New York Times crossword puzzles daily, reading crime novels and history books, and listening to classical and folk music (especially WRTI, Sleepy Hollow and Appalachian Spring by Leonard Bernstein).

In celebration of Jim’s life, the family will hold a memorial service for him on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 11:00 am at Gulph Mills Golf Club located at 200 Swedeland Road, King of Prussia, PA 19046.  A reception will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jim’s name to the Friends of the Wissahickon,  40 W. Evergreen Avenue, Suite 108, Philadelphia, PA 19118-3324 (www.fow.org) or The Exeter Fund, Phillips Exeter Academy,  20 Main Street, Exeter, NH 03833-2460  (www.exeter.edu).