Thomas Hayes Jennings

1941 - 2022

Thomas Hayes Jennings

August 31, 1941 - September 4, 2022

Thomas Hayes Jennings of Hickory, passed away Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, at Trinity Ridge, following a period of declining health.

Tom was born Aug. 31, 1941, in Harvey, Ill., to the late Gilmore and Hazel Jennings of Arlington Heights, Ill.

Tom graduated from Indiana State University in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics. Tom served as second lieutenant in the U.S. Army for three years, stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., from 1967 to 1969. He met his wife of 51 years, Dawn Gay Holden, in the summer of 1962 in Sawmills, and were married April 17, 1971, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Lenoir.

Tom worked in traveling sales for his career primarily focused on the automotive industry. He worked for over 50 years before retiring in his early 70s.

Tom loved his family first and foremost, his wife's cooking, reading, art, music, coffee, the Packers, and Formula 1 racing. He was the consummate salesman and could talk to anyone about anything. He had a firm handshake and his word was his bond. You could often find him at a coffee shop reading the New York Times while having an intellectual conversation with total strangers about any topic. Trust me, you wanted him on your trivia team. He was the neighbor who was always willing to lend a hand no matter the task. He made many friends over the years during his career and would often meet, have lunch or catch up over a cup of coffee after he retired.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dawn Holden Jennings.

Survivors include his daughter, Amy Caroline Jennings and Aaron Setzer of Claremont; son, Jon Jennings and wife, Kristi; and granddaughter, Lindsey, of Fultondale, Ala.; sister, Mary Ann Vieweg of Cary, Ill.; brother, John Jennings and wife, Jeannie, of Hendersonville; and sister, Jane Gillette and husband, John, of Sugar Land, Texas.

Memorial service for Tom will be held today (Wednesday, Sept. 7), at 11 a.m., at Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, following the service.

www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com