Roy E. Jennings, Jr., 85, of Clay Center, Kansas passed away at Wakefield, Kansas on Friday, December 1, 2023. He was born in Hays, Kansas on October 12, 1938 to Roy E. and Ethel Jennings, the seventh of seven children. Roy attended school in Junction City before joining the U.S. Navy. Roy met the love of his life, Lillian Joyce Sumner, during their years as young adults, both having grown up in Kansas. Joyce would later say that she knew Roy was the man she was going to marry. The pair married November 28, 1957 and left immediately as Roy had enlisted in the Navy. Roy and Joyce couldn’t wait to start a family. To this union were born two children, LaCinda Dawn Jennings, and Roy E. Jennings III. 

Roy was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, his parents, his daughter, LaCinda, and his longtime friend, Richard Avery. 

He is survived by his son Roy E. (Jay) Jennings, III and wife Nan; six grandchildren; one great grandson; nieces; nephews, and many friends.

Visitation will be held from 4-7PM on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center, Kansas.

Funeral services will be held at 9:00AM on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Clay Center, Kansas.

Burial will be held at 1:30PM on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at the Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Roy and Joyce Jennings Revocable Scholarship Fund and can be sent in care of the funeral home.