Clyde Jennings Jr.

Clyde was a colorful character, he called me one day asking me to meet him at "The Ahlivve Gaaden" as he pronounce it, wanted to hire me for a show he was in charge of, I asked when was it? He said in 5 years! He gave me the detail, I had to ask how old are you? 82 he said, he knew what I was thinkin, we had a laugh but every month for 5yrs we met at Olive Garden & discussed the event, we became close pals over time, when the event came I told him I needed an assistant for show, he sent me Out our current mayor (see photo) after the show he ask me to meet him as usual for our lunch where he told me why he booked me 5yrs in advance; It gave me something to look forward to, our lunches & the event! I told him it gave me more, one of the best friends I ever had, a great person in my life! We continued our lunches till 3 weeks before his passing, he bought one of my books I bought his, we were there for each other, I miss him & think of him every time I´m at the Olive Garden my dear friend Clyde Jennings kind and thoughtful & yes Jay he was proud of you, wish I had met you, your dad was the best.. Rick Marino

July 10, 2006



Dear Jay, family and friends:



I was saddened to hear of Clyde's passing and send my sympathy to his many family and friends.



While I've been away from our common hobby for quite a number of years, it was always a treat to hear from Clyde at the holidays and share some laughter. In fact, there's still a few jokes of Clyde's that I still use.



But in our sadness, there's the joy that we share in remembering such a wonderful friend and mentor. Knowing Clyde, he'd like that.

Clyde,

We miss you more than anything.I had planned on being at your lunch in Sarasota next year and supply you with some famous "Leaking Horse" Vineyards wine that you like so much. Our best -- Barbara & John

Dear Jay and Family:

How I miss my beloved mentor and friend all ready! Clyde took me under his philatelic wing over 20 years ago. Whether I needed a friend, judge, laugh, or encourager...Clyde was there. It was your father who donated the first check to Stamp Camp USA to begin our program work. Clyde believed in our philatelic promotion efforts when they were still visionary..both with Ben Franklin and Stamp Camp USA. I shall miss our phone calls, letters, and friendship, but find peace in knowing He is in the presence of our Lord, able to see Him paint his wonderful, colorful rainbows in the sky, using the brilliant colors Clyde was so well noted to include in his infamous wardrobe, color coordinated to perfection. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. Our loss is Heaven's gain.



Cheryl and Brian Edgcomb



Cheryl and Brian Edgcomb

I only had the honor of formally meeting Clyde a couple of times at stamp shows over the past few years. However, his service to the hobby will always be remembered. May his family always remember and be comforted by how much he brought to everyone who enjoys the hobby of philately.

Clyde's fine sense of humor was legendary. He was always the fine southern gentleman.



Clyde seemed to enjoy stirring the philatelic pot - we have him to thank for the inquiry that led to current divisions in exhibiting. Whether that was his intention we will only know when we meet again with our closed albums.

Jay, I my parents always enjoyed your father's trips to Lynchburg. I remember his tremendous enthusiam for life. You have a great legacy! Our thoughts are with you now.

Like so many others, I am deeply indebted to Clyde for his knowledge and wisdom. He lived a full life and his passing leaves a significant void in the world.

My first encounter with this great philatelist was 40 years ago, during the Sixth International Philatelic Exhibition in Washington, D.C. A friendship developed instantly and strongly grew over four decades. What a privilege and how wonderful to have experienced the many facets of such a great man over such a period of time!

Clyde had a positive effect on all those whom he met. The number of friends he had is legendary, and he valued each and every one as a precious gem.

In all reality, Clyde was the precious gem.

He will be sorely missed and always remembered.

Clyde and I always had a date for lunch on the Thursday preceding the Sarasota Show each year. I shall miss him next year.

Ann

I met Clyde over 30 years when I was 12, and he took me under his wing. Ever since, no matter how infrequent our communications, he remained a dear friend, a mentor, and a gentleman. While Clyde's jokes were legendary, and his heart was filled with joy, it is his mark on stamp collecting that will endure for generations, particularly his dedication to youth and the hobby. Clyde, we miss you already, but know that you're smiling down on us.

While I was saddened to learn of Clyde's passing, on further reflection, I was amazed on how much living Clyde was able to pack into his ninety years ! It was a pleasure and an honor to have known him .

To Jay and the family...please accept my deepest sympathy and a grand toast to being so fortunate to have Clyde Jennings as a father and uncle. He was a bright, unique light in my life. Clyde had much the same impact on me as did my own parents who graciously fostered my love of philately from a very early age. He was a second father to me; always considerate, stern when that was required, a mentor in all things in life, and best of all, everything he did was tempered with the greatest sense of humor I ever knew. We shared stamps, a fondness for our mothers who collected them, good meals and wine, many Christmas holidays, untold numbers of stamp shows and countless friends across a worldwide hobby. Not to mention how wonderful it was when he introduced Frances Dixon into our lives, too. Clyde's family, his city of Jacksonville, and philately have lost an irreplaceable human being. God bless you, Clyde. You are forever loved.

Clyde was truky one of a kind, a man for all seasons who loved philately and most of loved philatelists, second only to his fmaily. What a star! It twinkles on in our memories.

Philately will be far less interesting without Clyde. He was sweet, funny, smart, and kind. I miss him.

One of Clyde's talents was the ability to defuse confrontations --



He was the jury chairman at one show where I exhibited. The judge assigned to my exhibit remarked that I needed an example on cover for one stamp. I responded and asked for clarification, etc. I asked if I had not explained clearly enough in the Synopsis, the Title page, of on the lead page (and also Scott's Specialized) for the area of the stamp in question that it was not known on cover.



Clyde let the judge squirm in the spotlight for a few seconds and said " George, we all know that this didn't make a damn bit of difference as far as your medal level is concerned. So let's get on to real problems."



He will be missed -- actually he is already missed.

Clyde, your friendship, guidance and wonderful attitude towards life will be missed. Thanks for the memories.

Clyde was a friend, a teacher and a great man. He was a consummate gentleman. I will miss his smile and the twinkle in his eyes.

Clyde was a unique treasure - it was a privilege and a pleasure to know him and to share the philatelic world with him.

The world of philately is greatly diminished without Clyde's dedication, guidance, and sense of humor. His book is a wonderful remembrance.

Jay - Dan and I have many fond memories of Clyde over the long years we knew him. It was Clyde who jump started my philatelic judging career and encouraged Dan in many of his endeavors in serving the APS. We were all so much richer for knowing and loving him.

What a great man to his community and to his hobby...Proud to know this man...



Harvey Tilles

Clyde, you will be missed. You were the ultimate philatelic gentleman. Thank you for you support over the years.

Jay,

My wife and I will always have our memories of the many enjoyable get togethers that we had with your Dad when we were in involved in judging stamp shows together. Your father was one of a kind! We received a letter from your father just 5 days before his death. We will miss him. Tony and Shirley Brooks

Carol and I, wish Jay and all of Clyde's friends our very best. We like others, thought much of Clyde, and are ALL richer for knowing him. Clyde was one of the few philatelist that I consider a true "mentor", the man forgot more than I'll ever know, he was a real jewell. Thanks for the memories Clyde, "keep 'em straight up there".

Alex and Carol Linn Hall

What to say about philately's most colorful character? What I remember most about him was his ability to make others feel welcome and appreciated. I am especially grateful that Clyde went way beyond simple "common courtesy" to befriend my husband -- a non-collector -- and seek him out whenever or where ever they were together. Clyde -- a consummate gentleman. Russ and I will miss him.

Jay, my family and I were so sorry to hear about Clyde. We had so many years of true friendship and lots of laughter. He and Daddy were best friends and enjoyed a lifetime of fun. I'll miss my Christmas cards! We send our love.



Nancy, Jessica, and Nan

Clyde was a man who made up his mind to be happy, and to make others happy -- to celebrate the gift of each day. May his spirit and his biggest, widest smile be a guide to us all.

On behalf of myself and my family I would like to thank all who have taken the time to sign the guest book. Your expressions of sympathy and remembrances of my father are deeply appreciated. Thank you.

Clyde was the man - I remember most when he shared his room in Detroit in '87 with me so I could enjoy the show. Worked on several activities with Clyde in Florida - he will be missed. Wonder how long it will be before he and Herman get together to discuss philately in the life hereafter... peace...

My deepest sympathy to family, friends and all of Northside. We have lost a kind and generous man, known and loved by many, greatly respected by all. Mr. Jennings was one of the greatest supporters the Northside has ever had. Our loss is most certainly Heaven's gain. God's blessings. Carol Watkins Oceanway Hardware

CLYDE WAS A MAN FULL OF LIFE AND ENERGY AND ENJOYED LIFE TO THE FULLEST. WAS A FRIEND FOR 12 YEARS. WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. AND TO HIS SON AND FAMILY I SEND ALL MY CONDOLENCES.

I was a fan and a friend of Clyde. I will hold dear, his book, and our last visit into town last May. I was fortunate to have met him in Chicago in '86, and to have shared his life quotes. Best to Jay, and Miss Francis. Judi and Jim Strickland

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Had a lunch last month with Clyde....when I asked him where we would meet - he replied "Meet you on corner of Baymeadows and San Jose"....I replied "Clyde - that's Hooters!!! to which he said "Yep, that's exactly where I want to have lunch"! That was Clyde ....the youngest 90 year old I knew. We will all miss him very much. Will think of him next week as I exhibit at the Washington Philatelic Exhibit --- and we will all miss his presence - no one could wear colorful jackets like Clyde. God Bless!

Clyde was a very kind and caring man. He was proud of his son and never failed to include him in his conversations. He loved life and he loved his friends. We will miss him so much.

He is not gone,

he has just gone on ahead.

I was in total shock to read that Mr. Jennings had passed on to be with our Heavenly Father. I grew up right down the street from him (In the Big Two Store White House) and was one of those kids that always stopped to pet Josh, his beloved Pug. My own brother now owns a Pug, because of Josh. He will be greatly missed and always be a part of my childhood memories, was a great man who had a lot of hope for my family. Mr. Jennings I know you can't read this, but thank you for being there for my Mom after her accident we always enjoyed the Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners that you gave us and Ms. Dixon's Homemade Apple Pies.



To his family: You were truly blessed to have a wonder man as a Father, GrandFather, Uncle, and Friend. May God Bless you at this time in your life.

To Mr. Jennings family:

I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to you in the loss of such a kind and genteel man. I will miss him so much. I have had the pleasure of seeing him in our dental office and we'd go to lunch in August (every August) when he'd visit us. He and I had much in common as I have a son that attends VMI. We'd speak about the Institute every time we got together. I will miss him sorely. I pray for God's peace to help his family thru this time.

With deepest sympathy and greatest respect,

Leslie Shaw

To the family of a "Great Man" I extend my deepest sympathies. I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Jennings at the dentist office where I work. He was absolutely the kindest, most genteel man that I think I've ever met. We had a lot in common as I have a son that attends VMI and we'd speak about it every time that we'd meet. I will absolutely miss this sweet man. August will not be the same without our lunches when he would visit. I pray God's peace be upon his family.



With deepest respect and sympathy,

Leslie Shaw

I didn't know Mr.Jennings personally, but I have read hundreds of his articles on stamp collecting over the years. A very knowledgeable person. His expertise will be sorely missed.

Go in Peace Clyde.