Charles H. Jennings

LODI - Charles H. Jennings, lifetime resident of Lodi, died in Albany on Monday (November 1, 2010).
Calling hours and reception will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday (Nov. 6) at the Lodi Historical Society Building. A Funeral Service will then be held at 1 p.m. at the Historical Society, officiated by Pastor Derek VandeSlunt of the Interlaken Reformed Church. Prayers of committal with Military Honors will be held in West Lodi Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Lodi Historical Society, PO Box 279, Lodi, 14860 or to the Interlaken Reformed Church, PO Box 335, Interlaken, 14847, in Charles' memory.
Charles was born on October 1, 1923 in Lodi, a son of the late Charles L. and Helen (Bainbridge) Jennings. He attended the Lodi High School and graduated from Ovid High School in 1942. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 while attending Houghton College. He was a Sergeant with the 84th Infantry Division and was severely wounded near the end of W.W. II. He was honored with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his courage and valor. Following a lengthy recovery in England, he returned to Germany to work behind the lines before returning home and continuing his education at Houghton. After graduating from Houghton in 1948, Charles earned a law degree from North­western University in 1950 and opened his private practice in Lodi. Under the Rockefeller Administration, he was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Surplus Real Property in Albany under the Department of State in Albany and eventually Director of the Division of Land Utilization under the Office of General Services.
He was married to Virginia Taylor in 1961 and for 20 years they maintained homes in Slingerlands and Lodi. Upon his retirement from New York State, they returned full time to Lodi while Charles devoted his time to his private practice. He was one of the founders of the Lodi Historical Society in 1976 and served as its first president. He was also instrumental in the restoration of the former Lodi Methodist Church to what is now known as the Lodi Historical Society as well as the restoration of the 1852 E. & G. G. Hook Tracker Organ.
While serving as Lodi town supervisor for several terms, among many accomplishments, he helped save the West Lodi Cemetery from neglect and financial distress. He had also been an active member of the Interlaken Reformed Church and a participant of the Farmerville-Union Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. Charles was a wealth of knowledge and a wonderful resource for the Lodi community and his joyful presence will be greatly missed.
Charles is survived by his wife of 49 years, Virginia "Ginny" Jennings of Albany; his daughter, Amy (Craig) Pemberton of Selkirk; a grandson, Joseph Craig Pemberton; a sister, Leona Rosbaugh of Lodi; a brother, George (Lois) Jennings of Lodi; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Clayton Jennings.
For additional information, please contact Covert Funeral Home at 1-877-828-3411 or visit www.covertfuneralhome.com.