Richard “Dick” David Jennings, Sr., 85, of Knoxville, TN, formerly of Bridgeport, CT passed
away peacefully, surrounded by his family on March 1, 2022 at Oak Ridge Methodist Medical
Center. He was a member of Cokesbury United Methodist Church. Richard was born in Fairfield,
Connecticut where he attended Roger Ludlowe High School. He went on to serve in the United
States Navy on U.S.S Rowe (DD-564) for four years. He then served for six years as a police
officer for the Fairfield Police Department. Richard retired from Sears, Roebuck and Company
where he earned his Journeyman’s License through home study and worked as an A/C and
Appliance Service Technician for 30 years.
Richard was a Little League coach for Park City Little League and East End Little League in
Bridgeport, CT. He had a love for the sea and was an avid fisherman and boater and enjoyed
clamming. He enjoyed country music, especially Willie Nelson, and country-western movies,
especially those starring John Wayne.
Richard loved his family and was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and
great-grandfather.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Mary (Kozak) Jennings and his
brother, Clarence “Bud” Jennings. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Joyce (Martin)
Jennings; daughter, Beverly Palumbo; son, Richard D. Jennings, Jr. (Denise); grandchildren,
Paul Palumbo, Aaron Davis and Evan Davis (Sierra); great-grandchildren, Kaylen Davis and
Aspen Davis, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at 2 pm at Cokesbury United
Methodist Church, 9908 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN,
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lewey Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian
Hill Road S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047
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