Ret. Chief Harold Charles Jennings Greenville
Harold Charles Jennings, retired Chief of Police, City of Greenville, died at his home on Sep tember 22, 2016, at the age of 94.
He was born in Fountain Inn, September 7, 1922, son of the late Chief James Herman Jennings and Lillian Beatrice Fowler Jennings. His father also served as Greenville’s Police Chief. Chief
Jennings is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Gladys Kathleen Perry Jennings, and two children, Kathleen Perry Jennings Gresham (husband Steve) and Dr. Harold Charles Jennings, Jr. He has three grandchildren: James Steven Jennings Gresham, Caroline Spears Jennings, and Ashley Lynn Gresham Ghent (Danny). Chief Jennings was predeceased by grandson David Bruce Gresham. Also surviving is a brother, Ralph Lindsey Jennings (Helen) and sister-inlaw, Sara Jo Jennings.
During World War II, Chief Jennings joined the United States Navy as Chief Boatswain’s Mate, serving on all beaches during the invasion at Normandy during D-Day. He served on LST (Landing Ship Tank) ship numbers 356 and 307, both of historic naval significance. He participated in sea battles at Anzio; Sicily; Ustica, Italy; North Africa; and Salerno. He faced the invasion of Japan, in Okinawa, when halted by the bombing of Hiroshima by President Harr y S. Truman.
After the war, he joined the Greenville Police Department. Following his training at the FBI National Academy, he rose through the ranks, bringing innovative initiatives to the Department. He was vital in the establishment of law enforcement and paralegal programs at Greenville Technical College, The Governor’s Program of Criminal Justice, and many local boards and youth programs. His vision recruited women and minorities, well before most of the nation ever considered equal opportunities. It was primarily through his example and leadership that race relations and community unification elevated Greenville to a harmonious city of established vision. He lived his values to the end of his days, always as the polite Southern gentleman he was, even thanking his care-givers through the day of his death for their aid to
him.
His legacy lives on in the visionary establishment of the Harold C. Jennings Foundation in 1977 with aid from philanthropist and Belk-Simpson founder and friend, Henry Simpson. The Foundation is a scholarship fund for children of Greenville Police officers. The much-emulated Foundation has now educated over 415 worthy students in dozens of colleges and universities all over the countr y. The beloved Chief led by his example and Board leadership. His advocacy included the Phillis Wheatley Center, Rotary Club (earning the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow distinction), Kiwanis Club, Masonic Recovery Lodge, Scottish Rite, American Legion, and Shriner’s Hospital.
He was awarded the state’s highest honor, The Order of the Palmetto, from SC Governor Carroll Campbell.
Chief Jennings was a boyhood member of Earle Street Baptist Church but later transferred to Christ Church Episcopal, where he worshipped for 44 years. Chief Jennings’ interment will be at the historic Christ Church cemetery in the hear t of the city he guided and loved.
The celebration of Chief Jennings’ life will include visitation on Monday, September 26th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at The All Saints Center of Christ Episcopal Church while the historic church undergoes renovations. The funeral service will be on Tuesday, September 27th at 4:00 p.m.
at Christ Church’s All Saints Center, downtown Greenville.
Memorials and remembrances may be made to The Harold C.
Jennings Foundation, Greenville Police Department, 4 McGee St., Greenville, SC 29601.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.thomasmcafee. com.
Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown
Harold Charles Jennings, retired Chief of Police, City of Greenville, died at his home on Sep tember 22, 2016, at the age of 94.
He was born in Fountain Inn, September 7, 1922, son of the late Chief James Herman Jennings and Lillian Beatrice Fowler Jennings. His father also served as Greenville’s Police Chief. Chief
Jennings is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Gladys Kathleen Perry Jennings, and two children, Kathleen Perry Jennings Gresham (husband Steve) and Dr. Harold Charles Jennings, Jr. He has three grandchildren: James Steven Jennings Gresham, Caroline Spears Jennings, and Ashley Lynn Gresham Ghent (Danny). Chief Jennings was predeceased by grandson David Bruce Gresham. Also surviving is a brother, Ralph Lindsey Jennings (Helen) and sister-inlaw, Sara Jo Jennings.
During World War II, Chief Jennings joined the United States Navy as Chief Boatswain’s Mate, serving on all beaches during the invasion at Normandy during D-Day. He served on LST (Landing Ship Tank) ship numbers 356 and 307, both of historic naval significance. He participated in sea battles at Anzio; Sicily; Ustica, Italy; North Africa; and Salerno. He faced the invasion of Japan, in Okinawa, when halted by the bombing of Hiroshima by President Harr y S. Truman.
After the war, he joined the Greenville Police Department. Following his training at the FBI National Academy, he rose through the ranks, bringing innovative initiatives to the Department. He was vital in the establishment of law enforcement and paralegal programs at Greenville Technical College, The Governor’s Program of Criminal Justice, and many local boards and youth programs. His vision recruited women and minorities, well before most of the nation ever considered equal opportunities. It was primarily through his example and leadership that race relations and community unification elevated Greenville to a harmonious city of established vision. He lived his values to the end of his days, always as the polite Southern gentleman he was, even thanking his care-givers through the day of his death for their aid to
him.
His legacy lives on in the visionary establishment of the Harold C. Jennings Foundation in 1977 with aid from philanthropist and Belk-Simpson founder and friend, Henry Simpson. The Foundation is a scholarship fund for children of Greenville Police officers. The much-emulated Foundation has now educated over 415 worthy students in dozens of colleges and universities all over the countr y. The beloved Chief led by his example and Board leadership. His advocacy included the Phillis Wheatley Center, Rotary Club (earning the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow distinction), Kiwanis Club, Masonic Recovery Lodge, Scottish Rite, American Legion, and Shriner’s Hospital.
He was awarded the state’s highest honor, The Order of the Palmetto, from SC Governor Carroll Campbell.
Chief Jennings was a boyhood member of Earle Street Baptist Church but later transferred to Christ Church Episcopal, where he worshipped for 44 years. Chief Jennings’ interment will be at the historic Christ Church cemetery in the hear t of the city he guided and loved.
The celebration of Chief Jennings’ life will include visitation on Monday, September 26th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at The All Saints Center of Christ Episcopal Church while the historic church undergoes renovations. The funeral service will be on Tuesday, September 27th at 4:00 p.m.
at Christ Church’s All Saints Center, downtown Greenville.
Memorials and remembrances may be made to The Harold C.
Jennings Foundation, Greenville Police Department, 4 McGee St., Greenville, SC 29601.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.thomasmcafee. com.
Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown
Ret. Chief Harold Charles Jennings Greenville
Harold Charles Jennings, retired Chief of Police, City of Greenville, died at his home on Sep tember 22, 2016, at the age of 94.
He was born in Fountain Inn, September 7, 1922, son of the late Chief James Herman Jennings and Lillian Beatrice Fowler Jennings. His father also served as Greenville’s Police Chief. Chief
Jennings is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Gladys Kathleen Perry Jennings, and two children, Kathleen Perry Jennings Gresham (husband Steve) and Dr. Harold Charles Jennings, Jr. He has three grandchildren: James Steven Jennings Gresham, Caroline Spears Jennings, and Ashley Lynn Gresham Ghent (Danny). Chief Jennings was predeceased by grandson David Bruce Gresham. Also surviving is a brother, Ralph Lindsey Jennings (Helen) and sister-inlaw, Sara Jo Jennings.
During World War II, Chief Jennings joined the United States Navy as Chief Boatswain’s Mate, serving on all beaches during the invasion at Normandy during D-Day. He served on LST (Landing Ship Tank) ship numbers 356 and 307, both of historic naval significance. He participated in sea battles at Anzio; Sicily; Ustica, Italy; North Africa; and Salerno. He faced the invasion of Japan, in Okinawa, when halted by the bombing of Hiroshima by President Harr y S. Truman.
After the war, he joined the Greenville Police Department. Following his training at the FBI National Academy, he rose through the ranks, bringing innovative initiatives to the Department. He was vital in the establishment of law enforcement and paralegal programs at Greenville Technical College, The Governor’s Program of Criminal Justice, and many local boards and youth programs. His vision recruited women and minorities, well before most of the nation ever considered equal opportunities. It was primarily through his example and leadership that race relations and community unification elevated Greenville to a harmonious city of established vision. He lived his values to the end of his days, always as the polite Southern gentleman he was, even thanking his care-givers through the day of his death for their aid to
him.
His legacy lives on in the visionary establishment of the Harold C. Jennings Foundation in 1977 with aid from philanthropist and Belk-Simpson founder and friend, Henry Simpson. The Foundation is a scholarship fund for children of Greenville Police officers. The much-emulated Foundation has now educated over 415 worthy students in dozens of colleges and universities all over the countr y. The beloved Chief led by his example and Board leadership. His advocacy included the Phillis Wheatley Center, Rotary Club (earning the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow distinction), Kiwanis Club, Masonic Recovery Lodge, Scottish Rite, American Legion, and Shriner’s Hospital.
He was awarded the state’s highest honor, The Order of the Palmetto, from SC Governor Carroll Campbell.
Chief Jennings was a boyhood member of Earle Street Baptist Church but later transferred to Christ Church Episcopal, where he worshipped for 44 years. Chief Jennings’ interment will be at the historic Christ Church cemetery in the hear t of the city he guided and loved.
The celebration of Chief Jennings’ life will include visitation on Monday, September 26th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at The All Saints Center of Christ Episcopal Church while the historic church undergoes renovations. The funeral service will be on Tuesday, September 27th at 4:00 p.m.
at Christ Church’s All Saints Center, downtown Greenville.
Memorials and remembrances may be made to The Harold C.
Jennings Foundation, Greenville Police Department, 4 McGee St., Greenville, SC 29601.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.thomasmcafee. com.
Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown
Harold Charles Jennings, retired Chief of Police, City of Greenville, died at his home on Sep tember 22, 2016, at the age of 94.
He was born in Fountain Inn, September 7, 1922, son of the late Chief James Herman Jennings and Lillian Beatrice Fowler Jennings. His father also served as Greenville’s Police Chief. Chief
Jennings is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Gladys Kathleen Perry Jennings, and two children, Kathleen Perry Jennings Gresham (husband Steve) and Dr. Harold Charles Jennings, Jr. He has three grandchildren: James Steven Jennings Gresham, Caroline Spears Jennings, and Ashley Lynn Gresham Ghent (Danny). Chief Jennings was predeceased by grandson David Bruce Gresham. Also surviving is a brother, Ralph Lindsey Jennings (Helen) and sister-inlaw, Sara Jo Jennings.
During World War II, Chief Jennings joined the United States Navy as Chief Boatswain’s Mate, serving on all beaches during the invasion at Normandy during D-Day. He served on LST (Landing Ship Tank) ship numbers 356 and 307, both of historic naval significance. He participated in sea battles at Anzio; Sicily; Ustica, Italy; North Africa; and Salerno. He faced the invasion of Japan, in Okinawa, when halted by the bombing of Hiroshima by President Harr y S. Truman.
After the war, he joined the Greenville Police Department. Following his training at the FBI National Academy, he rose through the ranks, bringing innovative initiatives to the Department. He was vital in the establishment of law enforcement and paralegal programs at Greenville Technical College, The Governor’s Program of Criminal Justice, and many local boards and youth programs. His vision recruited women and minorities, well before most of the nation ever considered equal opportunities. It was primarily through his example and leadership that race relations and community unification elevated Greenville to a harmonious city of established vision. He lived his values to the end of his days, always as the polite Southern gentleman he was, even thanking his care-givers through the day of his death for their aid to
him.
His legacy lives on in the visionary establishment of the Harold C. Jennings Foundation in 1977 with aid from philanthropist and Belk-Simpson founder and friend, Henry Simpson. The Foundation is a scholarship fund for children of Greenville Police officers. The much-emulated Foundation has now educated over 415 worthy students in dozens of colleges and universities all over the countr y. The beloved Chief led by his example and Board leadership. His advocacy included the Phillis Wheatley Center, Rotary Club (earning the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow distinction), Kiwanis Club, Masonic Recovery Lodge, Scottish Rite, American Legion, and Shriner’s Hospital.
He was awarded the state’s highest honor, The Order of the Palmetto, from SC Governor Carroll Campbell.
Chief Jennings was a boyhood member of Earle Street Baptist Church but later transferred to Christ Church Episcopal, where he worshipped for 44 years. Chief Jennings’ interment will be at the historic Christ Church cemetery in the hear t of the city he guided and loved.
The celebration of Chief Jennings’ life will include visitation on Monday, September 26th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at The All Saints Center of Christ Episcopal Church while the historic church undergoes renovations. The funeral service will be on Tuesday, September 27th at 4:00 p.m.
at Christ Church’s All Saints Center, downtown Greenville.
Memorials and remembrances may be made to The Harold C.
Jennings Foundation, Greenville Police Department, 4 McGee St., Greenville, SC 29601.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.thomasmcafee. com.
Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown
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