Celebrating the life of
Alfred Bowman Jennings, Jr.
November 12, 1922 - January 28, 2011
Alfred Bowman Jennings
1922 - 2011
Savannah's Senior Radio Broadcaster, Al Jennings, died Friday at Buckingham South. He was 88 years old and a retiree from WJCL, where he was Vice President/Radio.
In Savannah, where he had resided since September 1947, he worked for only two radio stations – WCCP/WBYG and WJCL. But his ambition to be a radioman began when he was nine years old in Marion County, FL. That was when he told his parents of his desire, and when he started "hanging around" WTMC. He was in effect a volunteer handy man until the Station Manager called him into his office and said he was convinced finally that Al was truly interested in radio and put him on the payroll for $5 a week. From then, he worked at radio stations in Jacksonville and Miami before coming to Savannah.
Al attended the University of Florida for one year before dropping out to await a draft call, but because of asthma he was classified as 4-F. The rest of his life was spent on radio projects, ranging from football games to concerts, and including golden gloves and professional boxing and many interviews.
Indeed, his interviews were with such major league stars as Bob Feller, Carl Hubbell, Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, Art Ditmar, Pepper Martin, Robin Roberts, Casey Stengel, Ted Williams, to name a few…boxing greats Sugar Ray Robinson, Tony Zale…tennis stars Rod Laver, Yvonne Goolagong, Billyjean King…Bob Hope, Red Skelton, and his favorite Johnny Mercer, the Savannah-born songwriter who "never really left home".
But aside from those stars, he was most popular locally for his broadcast of local football and other sports, as well as professional Sally League Baseball for ten years – The Savannah Indians, Savannah Athletics, Savannah Reds, etc., depending on who was this city's major league affiliate.
He also was an expert on the big bands, lectured hostel visitors on the bands and promoted for WJCL such bands as led by the successors to Glenn Miller as well as Harry James and Count Basie. And for years he opened the station with his own broadcast of big band music.
Al was a founding member of the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame and was the first media person to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He was the third person to head the Hall of Fame, and served many years on the Board of Trustees. He also was a life member of the Quarterback Club, and its 13th Captain. He also did at least one sportscast a day, and often five a day – in addition to his other duties on radio. He was a member of the 1-2-3 Club.
Al was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Bowman Jennings, Sr. and Rose Mabel Coley Jennings; his wives, Mildred Jennings and Eunice Rabey Jennings; his daughter, Antoinette Toni Gale Wimberly.
His survivors include a son, Alfred Bowman Hap Jennings, III of Charleston, SC; his grandchildren, Lisa Wimberly Lamb of Miami, FL; Annie Jennings and Alfred Bowman Bo Jennings, IV of Charleston; Amy, Lisa and Kenny Linton of Savannah; great grandchildren, Ryan Lamb, Amy Lamb and Lauren Lamb of Miami, and Keller and Evan Groover of Savannah.
Funeral services will be held Monday, January 31, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at White Bluff United Methodist Church. The family will be receiving friends one hour prior to the funeral service.
Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Buckingham South, 5450 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31405.
my mother and I want to express our sincere christian sympathies on the passing of Mr Jennings . it is never to late to remember what an outstanding personality he was . AS my dad would say,' he was a prince of a guy' . May he rest in peace with all the other saints.
- Mary F Ewaldsen/john o ewaldsen, savannah, GA
I was sorry to hear about Al,s passing. But what a legacy! When both of his afternoon WJCL-FM radio announcers were out sick, it was AL who convinced me to do the show. I wasn't a radio person, but with my music background and our mutual interest in Big Bands, I tried it. His was the first, and only, complement. That interest in Big Bands bought us both to a Count Basie Savannah Concert with the opportunity to videotape an interview with the great pianist. Al was wonderful. It is still, today, one of my career highlights. Al, thanks for the memories, you will truly be missed.
- Fred Wagoner, West Palm Beach, FL
To the Jennings Family: I just learned about Al passing away. Al was always a broacasting mentor to me, and just as Al 'hung around' radio stations when he was young, so did I. I was also a Florida Gator. In later years, I kept in touch with Al, and even when I was an anchor for CNN Radio, I always remembered how Al approached the broadcasting business with so much professionalism. He was a truly fine man. Dave Kirschner, Atlanta
- Dave Kirschner, Atlanta, GA
Al was such a special friend to both Ashley and myself. He will indeed be missed. I guess it is a blessing that Ashley has passed away because I know this news would have been a shock to him. To Al....Go Gators!
- Angela Dearing, Savannah, GA
I am saddened to hear of Al's passing. I knew him from the Friends of Johnny Mercer where he was a founding member, He was as I recall very outspoken but always on point. God Bless Al Jennings
- christopher chandler, tybee Island, GA
Poppa-I love you and miss you greatly. Keller and Evan will greatly miss their Poppa 'Owl'. I know you are once again with the love of your life, Mema Eunice. Hug and kiss her for me. You were a wonderful grandfather to me, Kenny and Amie and a great, great-grandfather to Keller and Evan.
- Lisa Groover, savannah, GA
My heart is saddened at the news that Al has passed away. He was one of the nicest people I have ever known. Though he was a Florida Gator, he warmly supported me during my football career at Benedictine and the Uni. of Georgia. I will miss him a great deal. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the related Jennings family. Barry Wilson
- Barry Wilson, Chattanooga, TN
I'm one of many who worked for Al at WBYG when it was on the veranda of the DeSoto. He helped me along in a 50+ year career that includes many years at the network. A great sports voice, I learned a lot doing color during the football season. My condolances to the family and to the radio community that's lost a good man.
- Haney Howell, Rock Hill, SC
Poppa, I will miss your funny jokes, passion for Those 'Gators' and the love for chocolate. What good memories I have.
- Amie Linton, Savannah, GA
my mother and I want to express our sincere christian sympathies on the passing of Mr Jennings . it is never to late to remember what an outstanding personality he was . AS my dad would say,' he was a prince of a guy' . May he rest in peace with all the other saints.
- Mary F Ewaldsen/john o ewaldsen, savannah, GA
I was sorry to hear about Al,s passing. But what a legacy! When both of his afternoon WJCL-FM radio announcers were out sick, it was AL who convinced me to do the show. I wasn't a radio person, but with my music background and our mutual interest in Big Bands, I tried it. His was the first, and only, complement. That interest in Big Bands bought us both to a Count Basie Savannah Concert with the opportunity to videotape an interview with the great pianist. Al was wonderful. It is still, today, one of my career highlights. Al, thanks for the memories, you will truly be missed.
- Fred Wagoner, West Palm Beach, FL
To the Jennings Family: I just learned about Al passing away. Al was always a broacasting mentor to me, and just as Al 'hung around' radio stations when he was young, so did I. I was also a Florida Gator. In later years, I kept in touch with Al, and even when I was an anchor for CNN Radio, I always remembered how Al approached the broadcasting business with so much professionalism. He was a truly fine man. Dave Kirschner, Atlanta
- Dave Kirschner, Atlanta, GA
Al was such a special friend to both Ashley and myself. He will indeed be missed. I guess it is a blessing that Ashley has passed away because I know this news would have been a shock to him. To Al....Go Gators!
- Angela Dearing, Savannah, GA
I am saddened to hear of Al's passing. I knew him from the Friends of Johnny Mercer where he was a founding member, He was as I recall very outspoken but always on point. God Bless Al Jennings
- christopher chandler, tybee Island, GA
Poppa-I love you and miss you greatly. Keller and Evan will greatly miss their Poppa 'Owl'. I know you are once again with the love of your life, Mema Eunice. Hug and kiss her for me. You were a wonderful grandfather to me, Kenny and Amie and a great, great-grandfather to Keller and Evan.
- Lisa Groover, savannah, GA
My heart is saddened at the news that Al has passed away. He was one of the nicest people I have ever known. Though he was a Florida Gator, he warmly supported me during my football career at Benedictine and the Uni. of Georgia. I will miss him a great deal. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the related Jennings family. Barry Wilson
- Barry Wilson, Chattanooga, TN
I'm one of many who worked for Al at WBYG when it was on the veranda of the DeSoto. He helped me along in a 50+ year career that includes many years at the network. A great sports voice, I learned a lot doing color during the football season. My condolances to the family and to the radio community that's lost a good man.
- Haney Howell, Rock Hill, SC
Poppa, I will miss your funny jokes, passion for Those 'Gators' and the love for chocolate. What good memories I have.
- Amie Linton, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
