James "Doug" Jennett

James Douglas Jennett, Hall of Fame baseball Coach, mentor, and family man, passed away peacefully on June 17th in West Lafayette, Indiana, at the age of 81.
Doug was born on December 21, 1943, in Lafayette, IN to James Bernard and Grace Brantley Jennett. He grew up in Oxford, Indiana, and graduated from Oxford High School in 1961 where he played basketball and baseball for his role model Dick Atha. Doug went on to play baseball at Milligan College in Johnson City, Tennessee, earning his Bachelor's Degree. He earned his Master's Degree from Ball State University. On June 6, 1971, Doug married Pam Henson in Fowler, Indiana.
Doug began coaching and teaching at Benton Central High School in 1969, spending 14 years as the Head Coach of the Bison baseball program. In 1985, he returned to his college alma mater as a Professor and Head Baseball Coach of the Milligan College Buffaloes. In 1998, he and Pam moved to Fort Myers, Florida, where he coached at Fort Myers High School, and then became the Athletic Director at Cypress Lake High School where he served until his retirement.
Coach Jennett dedicated his life to his family, friends, and his love of baseball. He spent 44 years coaching high school and college baseball, racking up championships, life long friendships, and a reputation as one of the best in the sport. He was inducted into the Indiana High School Baseball Hall of Fame in January 2025. A lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, Doug was a legendary storyteller whose humor lit up dugouts and dinner tables alike.
Off the field Doug was a devoted husband to his best friend of over 54 years, his wife Pam, a proud father of Keli and Kraig, and grandfather to Easton. His grandson Easton was his pride and joy, and watching him play baseball was his greatest pleasure. Doug was an avid sports fan, and could talk about the Chicago Cubs, Tennessee Volunteers, and Purdue Boilermakers for hours. His knowledge of players, statistics, and games of baseball was incredible. Each player and team that he coached was special to him, and were his fondest memories. Besides talking sports, Doug loved playing cards and socializing with friends. (And drinking Diet Coke and eating potato chips!)
Surviving with his wife, Pam, are: a daughter, Kelina Rene' Jennett of Monticello; son, Kraig Douglas Jennett (Jennifer) of McLean, Virginia; grandson, Easton Douglas Jennett of McLean, Virginia; and mother-in-law, LaVerne Hayden of Lafayette.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents and brother, William Robert Jennett.
Services will be held at the Otterbein United Methodist Church, Otterbein, Indiana. Visitation will be on Monday, June 30th, from 4pm-8pm. Funeral service will be on Tuesday, July 1st, at 11:30am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a youth baseball program in your community.
Doug leaves behind a legacy of laughter, leadership, and love. If you have a favorite story, memory, or photo of Doug, please bring those to the services as there will be a basket for you to leave them for the family to share as keepsakes. If you are unable to attend, feel free to share via email to pdjennett@gmail.com.