U. Duane Jennings, age 84, passed away unexpectedly September 29, 2018, at his home of 14 years in Laurel Ridge, Black Mountain, NC. He was born at home on July 3, 1934 in Pierce, Colorado to the late Uel and Ruby McConnell Jennings.
Duane was a graduate of P.S. duPont High School, Wilmington, DE, Lehigh University, (BS Mechanical Engineering), and Cornell University (PhD Mechanical Engineering). He worked for the Dupont Company in Wilmington, DE, Kinston, NC, and Chattanooga, TN, focusing on textile fiber research. Duane retired from Dupont in 1984 and did a number of different jobs, with most of his time spent at Nova Technology. Over the years, he received over 10 US patents for spinning and winding yarn.
Duane met his wife Carole in high school and they were married June 14, 1958 in Wilmington, DE soon after Carole’s college graduation. Together they helped those in need in their community and supported missionaries serving around the world. They also enjoyed traveling; especially places with mountains and snow. Duane loved fixing things, going running with his dog(s) and hiking. He and Carole held leadership positions in several churches over the years. Duane was attending Christ Community Church in Montreat, NC at the time of his passing.
He is survived by his two sons: Don Jennings and his wife Linda of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Keith Jennings and his wife Cathy of Hixson, Tennessee; two granddaughters: Christina Jennings Lo and her husband Jimmy of Manassas, Virginia, and Brianne Jennings Hager and her husband Travis of Hixson, Tennessee, and two great-grandsons: Bryson Hager of Hixson, Tennessee, and Micah Lo of Manassas, Virginia. Duane also leaves behind two brothers: Don Jennings of Hendersonville, North Carolina, and Garry Jennings of Wilmington, Delaware; as well as several cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nephews and great-nieces.
Duane was preceded in death by his father, Uel Jennings; his mother, Ruby McConnell Jennings; and his bride of almost 59 years, Carole Spring Seidel Jennings.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 13, 2018, at 1:00 pm at the Laurel Ridge Community Lodge, 51 Wedgewood Terrace, Black Mountain with reception following.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Duane and Carole Jennings to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, PO Box 8195, Asheville, NC 28814.