Samuel Wesley Jennings passed away on Oct. 21, 2023, at Providence Centralia Hospital in Centralia, Washington. He was born Feb. 25, 1930, in Oakville, Washington, and was raised by his mother, Martha, after his father, Harry, was killed in an automobile accident two months before his birth.
Sam graduated from Oakville High School in 1948. He worked many jobs in restaurants and service stations around Oakville and spent a brief time in the Army, receiving an honorable discharge. Oakville was good to him growing up and he never forgot that. He retained a closeness to his childhood friends and ties to Oakville his whole life.
Sam met Margaret Bigler at a local dance at Swede Hall and they were married on Aug. 21, 1959. They lived in Elma until 1965 before moving to Centralia to work at the Darigold Farm Store in Chehalis. He and “Maggie” raised their three children and instilled in them a love of music, spending time with friends and family, camping, and especially clam digging. Sam was handy and could fix just about anything. Sam worked for Darigold for 28 years, retiring from the milk plant.
After retirement, they traveled extensively around the country using their trailer, visiting many sites and making friends along the way. They also took trips to Germany, Mexico, Guatemala and Hawaii, and continued to dance all around Puget Sound.
Sam was diagnosed with celiac disease, which took him on a new path. He was dedicated to educating himself and others about the disease. He ran a monthly support group to help the newly diagnosed, always eager to share a gluten-free cookbook from his collection. He also developed diabetes, and became the model patient, again finding ways to help others, through support and counseling.
Sam took on the role of organizing the first all school reunion for the Oakville School District. There were over 600 in attendance, an overwhelming success. He was able to collect yearbooks and class pictures for every graduating class. One of his last concerns was about who was going to store these for future generations. Oakville is one of only two school districts to this day that has every year available to view online.
His service to the Oakville community never ceased. He was an advocate for the upkeep of the Pioneer Cemetery. He saw to it that it was maintained regularly. It was very important to him. It was said, “he was a true friend to Oakville.”
One of his major highlights was his surprise 90th birthday celebration in 2020, just before the COVID-19 shutdown. There were over 100 people in attendance. It truly overwhelmed him to see the outpouring of love and appreciation. Sam will always be remembered for his warm, welcoming smile that he shared with everyone he encountered.
Sam is survived by his wife of 64 years, Margaret; children, Ron (Geri) Jennings, Lynn (Terry) Anderson (aka Jensen) and Darrell (Mary) Jennings. He is also survived by four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Thank you to Sharon Care and the Providence Centralia Hospital staff for the compassion and dignity shown to Sam in his final days. Much appreciation to the LaClair family, especially Steve, for being there to help he and Maggie in his last days.
A small gathering was held Oct. 27, 2023, at the Methodist church in Oakville. Memorial donations may be made to the Washington State Alzheimer’s Association.
