- Date Of Birth: November 6, 1950
- Date Of Death: June 18, 2021
- State: Idaho
On Friday, June 18, 2021, Virgil L. Jennings, Jr. (Lee), loving husband, father and grandfather passed away at the age of 70, in Thayne, Wyoming from complications of COPD and pneumonia.
Lee was born on November 6,1950 in Cody, Wyoming to Virgil L. Jennings Sr. and Patricia Mae () Jennings. He had an older brother, Terry and was followed by a younger brother, Dennis and sister, Ranae.
The family moved to Jackson, Wyoming in 1955 and Lee spent a very happy and memorable childhood on the Riverview Ranch, down Fall Creek in Wilson, Wyoming where his dad was the ranch foreman.
Lee attended Wilson Elementary School when it was a three-room school house, grades 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 each in different rooms. He always said his first love was his first-grade teacher Miss Casebeer. He was a Jackson-Wilson football letterman and took joy in being one of the first teams to beat rival Star Valley in 1968 for the first time in nearly 40 years. 1969 was a big year for Lee, he graduated from JWHS, married Emily Hufsmith, started a 17-year career with Mountain Bell and had their first son, Eric. Four years later, in 1973, son Paul was born. Lee and Emily later divorced.
On Friday, July 13, 1979, yes, Friday the Thirteenth! Lee and Angie Radford met on a Friday night out in Jackson at the Rancher Bar. They made plans to go to Jackson Lake together the next day and the rest is history. After a very quick romance, they were head over heels in love and married on January 12, 1980. Together they had two daughters, Lisa born in June 1981 and Teri in May 1983.
In 1989 Lee was notified with some amazing news, he had a daughter, April, that was born in 1969. She quickly became Lee and Angie’s fifth child and the kids had a new big sister.
Lee’s career with Mountain Bell spanned 17 years with positions ranging from lineman, installer, foreman, manager and regional manager. He was very proud to be promoted as the youngest Mountain Bell Manager ever in 1979, at that time. His final position was Strategic Planner for US West in Denver Colorado and he was traveling the entire Rockies and Midwest. He decided his Bell System career was over when they wanted to transfer him to New York City.
The family ultimately moved back to Jackson, where Lee started working construction with his father-in-law, Lyal Radford, at Continental Construction. Lee and Angie moved to Thayne in 1991 and spent the last 31 years there. He was a quick study and continued to work construction until he retired in 2013. His last job was the resident carpenter at the Four Seasons Resort at Teton Village.
Lee served on the Volunteer Fire Departments in Riverton, Green River and Greybull, Wyoming. Over the years he was a member of Chambers of Commerce, Rotary, Elks and Lions clubs and at one time served at the Vice President of the Wyoming AFL-CIO.
Lee loved the outdoors, he and Angie hunted, fished, golfed, boated and traveled. They went to many fun and faraway places, but some of their happiest times were weekends on the lake and the last two winters of snow birding and traveling across the U.S.
Lees most valued treasures were his children and grandchildren. He was so very proud of each and every one of them. Although they will be the first to say he was the biggest tease in their lives.
Lee will probably be most remembered by his family and friends for his humor, his quick wit, his hearty laugh, and his love for making others laugh! And, that when he loved, he loved with his whole heart!!
Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil Sr. and Pat, brother, Terry and Step-father, Jay Hess. He is survived by his wife, Angie; Children, April McMullan (Mike), Eric, Paul, Lisa Crocker (Cody), and Teri Jennings; Grandchildren, Scott, Joe (Rachael), Tylor (Stacia), Brady, Colin, Madi, Chase, Parker, Aspen, Grace and Skylar; Great Grandchildren, James, Nollie and Emery; Brother, Dennis (Patee), Sister, Ranae Johnson (Rick), Mother-In-Law, Virginia Radford. Too many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends to number.
