Richard Jennings

Richard Jennings was born May 17, 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the second child of James and Vesta (Smith) Jennings. Within a few years, the family moved to Detroit, Michigan with older brother Edmon (deceased) and younger brother Marshall (deceased). In Detroit, two additional siblings were born; a sister, Geneva (deceased) and a brother, James.

Richard attended Detroit Public Schools, graduating from Northwestern High School. A short time after high school, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. It was the time of World War II. A new program had been established to train African Americans for the Army Air Corps. Richard tested for admission and was sent to Tuskegee Army Airfield, Tuskegee Alabama. There, he trained as a celestial navigator and bombardier. He received his commission as lieutenant and continued to serve his time. Being an African American in the deep South at that time was difficult enough, but having the status as an officer in the U. S. Air Corps. often brought on resentment from many whites. He had many stories to tell.

After the war and his return home, he remained in the reserve force while he pursued his education and various careers. On December 15, 1945, he married Mary Parks (deceased). They remained together until her death, October 18, 2012.

After receiving his degree from the Detroit College of Business, he worked in a number of positions, his last being an auditor for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. He was recalled to duty in the Air Force during the Vietnam War where he was involved in search and rescue missions.

Richard had a passion for golf and his great joy was waking early in the morning for a trip to the green. He and Mary enjoyed yearly, month-long winter trips to Hawaii where most of his time was spent on the golf course. His wife, Mary, was very happy he could play golf in the winter because it deterred him from repairing things in the house.

When asked, he would recall his World War II experiences in the military, especially while training in the segregated South. A letter written during that time, protesting their treatment has Richard’s signature, among a few others. It now rests in the Smithsonian Museum. He and his fellow airmen have received many honors, but he was very proud to have been invited to attend the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Richard was an active member of the Detroit Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc. and a founding member of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum, Detroit.

Richard and Mary had no children but both enjoyed their many nephews and nieces. Richard always had advice for the “kids”. Education and work ethic were always items of top priority to him.

Richard fought a long battle for a period of years; when he was told there was nothing else the doctors could do to defeat his worsening illness, he asked to be taken home for his care. He passed away peacefully, at home in his sleep early Wednesday morning August 13, 2014 with his brother James and nephew Paul at his bedside. Richard leaves to mourn his passing: brother, James; sisters-in-law Ardith [husband Harold Frear] and Almeda Jennings; many nephews and nieces, grand nephews and nieces, cousins, and friends.

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