BC Jennings

Bruce Curtis (BC) Jennings, 78, passed away on September 30th, 2025, surrounded by family in his home in Collierville, TN. Born on March 22nd,1947, he was a devoted husband to Teresa Jennings and father to Madison, Ryan, Dusty, Brian, and Steve. BC joined the U.S. Marine Corps early in his life and served for 14 years in Force Reconnaissance, including operations to rescue downed U.S. pilots during the Vietnam War. At the end of the war, he was instrumental in the evacuation of Saigon, the largest helicopter evacuation in history. Additionally, he served as a volunteer firefighter in Georgia and used his SCUBA background to take part in underwater rescues after the collapse of the Sydney Lanier bridge. He was an engineer by profession, spending years as an adjunct professor and later building a long career at FedEx in Memphis. After retirement, he continued his hobbies of home improvement and created a business called "Dr. M's" (a reference to his children, Dusty, Ryan, Madison, Steve), riding motorcycles with his fellow Marines, and acting as a cave surveyor/mapper. He was active in the Germantown Theatre community where he built countless sets and even directed the play "An Inspector Calls" in 2022. He introduced his family to - and built, many vacations on - backpacking, hiking, climbing, SCUBA diving, and caving, as well as the level of ferocity someone could bring to board games. As a Scoutmaster, he also shepherded Ryan and Dusty through their time in Boy Scouts all the way to the Eagle rank. BC was not fond of talking about himself but leaves a clear impact on those who knew him and were shaped by him. He will never be forgotten. He is survived by Teresa Jennings; his children and spouses, Madison and Chris Utley, Ryan and Kristen Long, Dusty Long and Caitlin Ulmer-Long; his sister and her family, Donna and John Waida, as well as their children - Johnny, Kevin, and Brandon - and his grandchildren, Katherine (5), Callan (3), Mary Evelyn (1), and Wylie (1); his friends in the Leathernecks MC, as well as many other close friends and family. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until 11:00 am Friday, October 3, 2025, with services immediately following at 11:00 am at Brent Taylor Funeral Directors, 534 W Poplar Ave, Collierville, TN 38017. Burial with military honors will follow at 1:00 pm at Memphis National Cemetery.