Paul Leon Jennings, 99, of Evansville, passed away Friday, March 5, 2010, at Deaconess Hospice Care Center. He was born November 8, 1910, in Farmersburg, Indiana.

He was an educator with 42 years of public school experience in Indiana, with 26½ of those years in the Evansville Vanderburgh County School Corporation. He graduated from Farmersburg HS in 1928, where he was president of his senior class. He studied mechanical engineering for two years at Tennessee Polytechnic Institute in Cookeville, TN before graduating in 1933 from Indiana State Teachers College, now Indiana State University, with a Bachelors degree in Education. In 1945 he received a Masters degree in Education from Indiana State University.

Mr. Jennings began his teaching career in Farmersburg in 1933 before coming to Evansville in 1939 to teach industrial arts at Howard Roosa School. He was transferred to Benjamin Bosse High School in 1945, where he taught math and industrial arts until 1952 when he was appointed Principal at Wheeler Elementary School. He was Principal at Wheeler for four years before being named Assistant Principal and Dean of Boys at Bosse in 1956. After becoming principal at Bosse in 1961, he remained in that position for 14 years until his retirement in 1975.

Professionally Mr. Jennings served as President of the Evansville Teachers Association, two terms as First Vice President of the Indiana Classroom Teachers Association, and was Salary Committee Chairman for the Evansville Teachers Association. In 1967-68 he was President of the Southern Indiana Athletic Association and became the first President of the Association of Educational Administrators-Evansville in 1971. He was a member of the National Education Association, Indiana State Teachers Association, Indiana Classroom Teachers Association, the American Association of School Administrators, Evansville Retired Teachers Association and Phi Delta Kappa.

Paul was a member of the board of directors for the Downtown Optimist Club, a member of Reed Masonic Lodge 316, Evansville Past Masters’ Club, Hadi Shrine and Evansville Kennel Club. He also served as a Democratic Precinct Committeeman.

He was married to the former Virginia Moreland from 1938 until her death in 1994. He married Lois Rust in 1995, and she survives.

Mr. Jennings enjoyed gardening, fishing, sporting events, traveling and golfing. He received his first hole-in-one in 1998 at the age of 88!

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Stephen Edward Jennings.

Paul is survived by two daughters, Connie Jennings Ayers of New Albany, Ind. and Kathleen Jennings Pate of Annapolis, Md.; sister, Joyce Jennings Shewmaker of Bradenton, Fla.; grandfather of five, Jeff Ayers of Evansville, Chris Ayers of Conway, S.C., Matt Ayers of Louisville, Ky., Amy Hyatt of Charleston, S.C. and Ashley Brosey of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; great grandfather of seven; four nephews, Don Jennings of Terre Haute, Ind., David Shewmaker of Flower Mound, Texas, Terry Shewmaker of Elkhart, Ind.; and Scott Shewmaker of Aurora, Colo.

Services will be 11 a.m., Monday, March 8, 2010, at Alexander East Chapel, with private burial to follow. Friends may visit Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Deaconess Hospice Care Center, 600 Mary Street, Third Floor, Evansville, IN 47747 or Benevolence Fund at Christian Fellowship Church, 4100 Millersburg Road, Evansville, IN 47725.

March 5, 2010
Dear Kathy, Words alone cannot fully express our heartfelt sympathy for you and your family on the loss of your father.  We hope and pray that you will find peace in cherished memories and the love you shared. 
Peace and best wishes, Tim & Carol (Wood) Wirtz

March 5, 2010
Kathy, My deepest condolences. I am so glad I was able to see him at the reunion before he passed.
Love and Light, Diane (Marsh) Duncan

March 5, 2010
Kathy, I am sorry to hear about your father.  I have very good memories of him when we were in school.  He was certainly a fine gentleman and I am glad I got to see him at the last reunion. 
Regards, Tom Austin

March 5, 2010
Kathy, I read of your father's passing in an email from Bosse High School today.  I was a graduate of the Class of 1963.  I remember Mr. Jennings (who he will always be in my memory) as a kind and even-handed principal.  We were a rambunctious class with lots of energy and wild ideas. I suspect that was true of all the classes.  The 60's were a time of turmoil in many ways, but at Bosse everyone's focus was on our success, both in and out of the classroom.  We had many outstanding teachers and the school promoted our efforts in a broad array of activities: school paper and yearbook, student plays and concerts, science research projects, sports and successful academic competitions, resulting in many scholarships and opportunities for Bosse's graduates.  I have always been proud of a survey that ranked Bosse in the top 10 of high schools in the country and the highest ranked public school at that time.  The culture and achievements came from superior leadership. Mr. Jennings epitomized that to all of us.  He was a good man and we greatly respected him.
With sympathy, Michael A. Iosue
Bosse High School Class of '63

March 06, 2010
Lois & family: What a great guy. All of us who knew him will miss his hearty smile and tremendous personality. Think of all the children he touched through his magnificent career. Wow! My most sincere condolences.
Bob Suhrheinrich, Pensacola, Florida

March 06, 2010
Connie, I am deeply saddened of the passing of your Dad. As you know he was a wonderful man, and has left behind a wonderful family. Just know that if you need something, don't hesitate to ask Steve or myself.
With Love and Admiration, your friend Rosie Yost, New Albany

March 06, 2010
With love and heartfelt sympathy for your loss. What a wonderful legacy to leave for his family.
With love and affection, Betsy and Bob Barnhouse, Annapolis, Maryland

March 06, 2010
Connie Hope to see you at our 50th Donna (Brown) Viehe

March 06, 2010
Connie & Kathy, so sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. He was certainly a special and unique person. Keep your wonderful memories of him close to your heart and he will always be with you. With deep sympathy and understanding......
Love to all, Bobby & Sherry Martin, Paducah, Kentucky

March 06, 2010
Lois, Ginna & I want to give you our sympathy on your loss. We are presently in Bolivia on a mission trip. We will not return until after the funeral or else we sure would have been there. Again we will be praying for you and the family.
Dan Grimm, Evansville, Indiana

March 06, 2010
Kathy, Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your father. He was a fine man. Hope everything otherwise is well with you and yours.
Carl Diedrich, Evansville

March 06, 2010
Lois, and family. We were very glad to have Paul being principal while our children went to Bosse. Lois, you are very special to us also. Glad the two of you could attend our '48 class reunions.
Carolyn and Ed Koehnen
Bosse Class of '48 also sends our sympathy to you and family.

March 06, 2010
I remember Mr. Jennings; he was a very nice man. I was in the class of 1973. So sorry for your loss.
Nina Owens , Winsted, Evansville, Indiana

March 07, 2010
Your kindness to the students at Bosse will always be remembered. It was an honor when I got to work in your office. I learned a lot through life by following the example you left your 'students'.
Martie 'Walker' Bell, Bosse '66, St. Charles, Missouri

March 07, 2010
I remember Mr. Jennings fondly as the principal of Wheeler School, where I, as a small, African American girl, was trying to fit into the student population and make some sense of integration. My main memory of him is that he made me feel protected.
You are blessed as a family to have had him in your lives. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Sandra Brown Bender, Virginia Beach, Virginia

March 07, 2010
My heartfelt condolences to the family of Paul Jennings, who was the kind of man that we all would like to emulate! He was an outstanding man and a contributing member of the Optimist club, where I knew him best. He will be genuinely missed!!
Don Julian, Newburgh, Indiana

March 07, 2010
To the family of Paul L. Jennings I say, God be with you in your time of sorrow. Always know, that He is more than able. I always considered it a privilege and honor to have known Mr. Jennings. I know he will be missed. Until we meet again my friend.
Robert Higgs, Evansville, Indiana

March 07, 2010
Dear Lois, Our sincere sympathy to you and the Jennings family.
Paul and Molly Carnes

March 08, 2010
Dear Mrs Jennings, Your husband was a great man and neighbor of ours for many years on Mulberry Street! We are sorry for your loss and pray that God blesses you and and the rest of the family at this difficult time.
Sincerely, Karen (Schoettlin) Hable, Clinton, Illinois
Daughter of Ruth and AL Schoettlin & former student of yours when you were Mrs Rust.

March 08, 2010
I have nothing but fond memories of Mr. Jennings. He was a great person.
Betsy Whittinghill Stanberry, Class of 1949, Villa Rica, Georgia

March 08, 2010
I attended Bosse while Mr. Jennings was the principal, he was always a pleasant person.
A few years ago, my mother was hosting a party for some of my father's WWII army friends. I was unaware of this when I went to her home. I was surprised to see my old high school principal. I wondered how he found me after all those years. It turns out Mr. Jennings had married the widow of one of my father's army comrades. Lois and Mr. Jennings are both fine people. My condolences to the family.
William Woods, Newburgh, Indiana

March 08, 2010
Connie, both Andy and I were very sorry to be told of your dad's passing. We hope that you are left with only the sweetest of memories of your times together. You were blessed to have him for so many years.
Phyllis Hamburg Present, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

March 08, 2010
We extend our sympathy to you on the loss of your father and husband. I remember him as a REALLY NICE neighbor and a great friend of my parents. Connie and Kathy, you might remember Al and Ruth Schoettlin who lived across the street on Mulberry for many years. I have fond memories of their friendship - exchanging tools and garden ideas. Your dad certainly lived a full life and touched many people. I know you will miss him. Our prayers are with you.
Tom and Ruthanne (Schoettlin) Otto, Pikesville, Maryland

March 09, 2010
Connie and Kathy, May I please extend my sincere condolences to all of your family on the loss of your Father. It was such a pleasure living across the street from your family. Your Dad was always so friendly with a smile, wave or greeting. Know that he and your families are in our prayers.  
Tim and Mary Kaye (Schoettlin) Mooney, St. Louis, Missouri

March 09, 2010
Connie and Kathy, I would like to extend my condolences to your families. Mr. Jennings was my principal at Bosse when I was a student (Class of 1958) and also as a faculty member beginning in 1963. He served Bosse well in his years and I was very proud to have him as a principal and a boss.
Don Hess, Evansville, Indiana

March 10, 2010
Aunt Lois, Noah and I sure enjoyed being able to meet Paul and spend time with him. He was very kind and it was great to see his face light up when he saw Noah. He will always be greatly missed. I have been thinking about you a lot lately and Noah and I sure hope to see you soon. Love you.
Rebekah Higginbotham, Bloomington, Indiana