Forty-six years to the very day he established his Oxford practice in 1958, Dr. David Jennings passed away.
On Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2004, Dr. Jennings lost his nearly two-year-old courageous battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and peacefully passed away at the age of 77. He died in the comfort of his home on Tanview, surrounded by the loving arms of his wife of nearly 39 years, Katherine.
With his death Oxford has lost a trusted, caring and devoted healer, and beloved community institution to generations of local families.
‘You are an angel from God and have helped and healed so many people throughout the years. Now it is God’s turn to help and heal you,? wrote former patients Rick and Vicki Heath in a recent note, just one of the hundreds of cards, notes, letters and well wishes Dr. Jennings received during his illness.
‘I also want to thank you for all you have done for me in the last 45 years. As far as I’m concerned you are one great doc,? wrote former patient Helen McNeil.
‘My dear friend ? I ? and I’m sure all your other patients feel the same ? how we love you. And would like for you to be with us, forever and forever,? wrote former patient Jenny Downs.
Born and raised in Flint by parents Richard and Mary Belle Jennings, Dr. Jennings attended Flint Central High School, the University of Michigan and Kirtsville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri. He also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Following his internship in Muskegon, the good doctor chose to hang his shingle as a general practitioner here in Oxford on Sept. 14, 1958.
Over the next five decades, he would attend to approximately 3,000 patients, many of them families who brought their children and their children’s children to see him.
‘In some families, I’ve care for five generations,? said Dr. Jennings in a Sept. 17, 2003 interview with the Leader. ‘It feels good when kids you took care of bring their kids to see you.?
An Aug. 27 letter to Dr. Jennings from former patient Sandy (Jostock) Fritz illustrated his multi-generational impact ? ‘Even though it has been 20 years since you have been my Doctor, you took care of my great grandfather, grandfather, me as a child and delivered two of my three children. I want to thank you for being the kind of doctor that I will remember fondly my whole life.?
A good number of his patients were helped into this world by Dr. Jennings. He estimated he delivered 300 babies during his career.
‘The last baby I delivered started college this year,? he said in 2003.
Over the years, Dr. Jennings performed many sports physicals for Oxford High School athletes, whom he always described as a ‘great bunch of kids.?
Although he had no children of his own, the good doctor’s love of Oxford’s kids led him to serve on the local board of education from 1969 to 1977.
Dr. Jennings is survived by his beloved wife Katherine, whom he married November 13, 1965 in Grand Blanc. He’s also survived by his twin brother Richard and his brother Harry, as well as many other loving friends and family members.
Visitation will be held at the Bossardet Chapel Lynch and Sons Funeral Directors (39 W. Drahner Road) on Thursday, Sept. 16 from 5 to 9 p.m.
Funeral services will take place at Bossardet Chapel on Friday, Sept. 17 at 11 a.m. Duane Salswedel will officiate.
Memorials may be made to McClaren Hospice or to the charity of your choice.
Editor’s Note: The Oxford Leader will be running a tribute article about Dr. Jennings next week. If you are a former patient, friend or former employee with something to say or share about the good doctor for this story, please contact Editor C.J. Carnacchio at (248) 628-4801 or e-mail him at shermanpub@aol.com. Thank you.