Oxford lost its doctor last week.
Dr. David Jennings peacefully passed away Sept. 14, 2004 at the age of 77.
For 46 years, the good doctor was always on call ? day and night ? for the people of Oxford and its surrounding areas.
He cared for our sick. He delivered our babies. He healed our bodies and comforted our souls. He saved the lives he could and gave solace to those he couldn’t.
Dr. Jennings touched an immeasurable number of lives since hanging his shingle here in 1958.
He was much more than a country doctor and community leader, he was a good friend and trusted member of the family.
What follows is a small sampling of what people had to say about the good doctor and his positive influence upon them.
Although he’s no longer with us, the spirit and memories of his compassion, kindness, warmth, gentle manner, medical skill and good deeds will live on forever in the patients and families he so faithfully and lovingly attended to.
Oxford’s physician is gone, but he’s certainly not forgotten and never will be.
Paging Dr. Jennings … Dr. David Jennings ? the people of Oxford wish to say thank you.
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‘Through the years, while many were busy collecting things, David was busy collecting people. All people were his true passion.?
? Katherine Jennings, the doctor’s beloved wife of nearly 39 years
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Wes Brooks credits Dr. Jennings with both bringing him into the world and keeping him here.
Brooks has the distinction of being the first baby Dr. Jennings ever delivered in Oxford. He was born on December 18, 1958, two days after Jenning’s birthday.
‘He was pulled away from his own birthday party to come deliver me,? Brooks said.
In the third grade, Brooks contracted Hepatitis and was quarantined for two weeks.
‘Dr. Jennings came to my home every morning and every afternoon just to check on me,? he said.
In 1967, Brooks crashed through a glass window and cut the arteries in one of his wrists. Bleedly profusely, his mother carried him from their home on Pleasant St. to Jennings? office on N. Washington St.
Despite believing Brooks was dead, Dr. Jennings kept working on him.
‘He did what he could do and here I am today.?
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‘Dr. David Jennings cared for me when I was a child, teenager and most recently as an adult. He cared for my father, my mother and all of his patients with a gentle hand. This would make any great doctor well-liked, but that is simply a portion of the positive contributions David made to my life and to this community.
‘David’s smile was one that could light up any room and a laugh that would warmly fill silence. A classy man, a distinguished silver fox with a heart of gold, a model citizen, a distributor of joy and happiness. David, you will be deeply missed, but the weight of sadness should only be felt by those who didn’t know you! The rest of us are the lucky ones.?
? Stacy (Green) Fields
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‘Having just returned from Dr. Jennings funeral, I feel compelled to tell of the time (he) literally saved my husband’s life for another seven years. They were golfing together when Bob collapsed. Dr. Jennings was familiar with his irregular heart beat, gave him CPR and personally drove him to the Lapeer Hospital.
‘Also, Dr. Jennings is the only doctor I’ve ever seen who came to the blood bank to donate. I can just see him lying there, reading his medical journal as he gave blood. He was not only our doctor, but our friend. I feel lost to no longer have him for my physician.?
? Helen Dick
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About 25 years ago, Helen McNeil took her late husband, Hilton, to see Dr. Jennings. She described her husband’s condition at the time as ‘sick and weak.?
Following Hilton’s examination, Dr. Jennings inquired as to where the couple was parked, then picked up McNeil’s husband and carried him to their car.
‘I couldn’t believe it,? McNeil said. ‘How many doctors would do that??
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‘Many of us received Dr. Jennings? skillful healing for decades. If you needed a back-whipping, he would handle it. If you needed a shoulder, he more than welcomed and obliged (you). A friend, a leader, a husband and a healer.
?(From Dr. Jennings,) we learned conduct, honesty and the value of sound wisdom. He led by example, truly the best method a leader uses to direct his and other lives. Thank you doctor for the many hats you wore. See you upstairs.?
? Ezee
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‘My wife and I and our three children moved from Pontiac to my present home (in Oxford) in 1955. David Jennings arrived in 1958 and became our family doctor shortly after. He was the one who delivered our next three children ? in 1961, 1962 and 1967. When our eldest (daughter Linda) and he husband lived in Lapeer, Dr. Jennings delivered her three children.
‘He was the greatest guy! Always a gentleman. I always respected and admired him.
‘Once when I went in for an x-ray, he asked me to x-ray his chest, saying he hadn’t had one for a while. After giving me the lead apron and showing me what to do, I x-rayed him.
‘I remember how he would attend the football games and offer his service free when some player had a mishap.
‘My wife died in December 2003 and I know that Katherine (Jennings) is now going through May God bless her.?
? Otto John Jones
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‘Dr. Jennings had been my family doctor since I was in my early teens. I’m now 52.
‘I knew from that very first visit (to Dr. Jennings) I had the one and only doctor. I wasn’t going to give up the special man.
‘He always made you feel very comfortable and always took his time no matter what. He never kept you in the dark about anything. When you left his office, you had no questions that were unanswered. Dr. Jennings was an angel that God blessed us all with in the Oxford-Lake Orion area.
‘Dr. Jennings was my mother’s doctor as well, along with my two children and in a pinch my grandson’s (doctor) a few times.
‘Sadly, I will have to find another doctor, but there is no one that will fill his shoes.
‘Dr. Jennings will always be my doctor in my heart. He will be sadly missed by the many lives he touched. We have many precious memories of this wonderful man. He will be in my family’s hearts always.
‘I thank you Dr. Jennings for all you have done for my family and I.?
? The Marsh and Merritt Family
Anne, Mike, Tina and Michael Marsh
Wendy and Lauren Merritt
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‘David and Katherine Jennings lent not only their support, but also a touch of elegance to the Oxford Public Library Friends Annual Storybook Gala. There would come a moment in the evening when the music was playing, the lights were low and I would see them on the dance floor. Briefly, they would seem to be the only people in the room, looking into each other’s eyes and smiling. I’ll always think of them that way ? dancing together.?
? Connie Miller
Gala Coordinator and Past OPLF President
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‘Such a loss to our community. Dr. Jennings not only was an excellent diagnostician, but (he) always involved the patient in any medical decision. A conservative doctor, he did not overprescribe nor did he refer to specialists, if it was not medically necessary. My wife will greatly miss his compassionate care.?
? Merle Smith
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As a tribute to Dr. Jennings, Peggy Ritz wished to contribute a poem she penned.
‘This poem tells us the importance of sharing love throughout our life because at the end of our days, we will be best remembered for the love and happiness we have given to others,? she said.
‘Love Petals?
Take a walk with me in the silence of your mind.
Picture only love petals sprinkled at your feet.
Much love will surround you if you make it so.
You can have an many petals that you’re willing to grow.
Sprinkle love petals along life’s way.
You’ll wake up one morning with a beautiful bouquet.
The road of life is short often not complete.
The only beauty are the love petals just before we sleep.
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Marilyn Schils worked as Dr. Jennings? receptionist for nearly 25 years. She described him as a ‘super boss? and a ‘very caring? doctor.
‘When he walked into the (examination) room, he knew the patient, everything about them,? she said. ‘You don’t find that anymore.?
Schils said the only ‘difficulty? she ever had with Dr. Jennings was keeping him on time and on schedule because he ‘took so long with every patient.?
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‘A few years ago, another favorite Oxford citizen, Bob Dick, of Oxford Bank fame, and I were discussing health and life issues in general. We both came to the same conclusion, that Dr. David Jennings was an outstanding doctor.
‘Some of the key things as a practitioner in the medical field that we valued were: His diagnosis was usually right on the money, but he always insisted that you get a second opinion with an expert in the field that concerned your problem. He was noted for prescribing the minimum dosage amount for medicines that would do the job. He had great bedside manners; he went to the Lapeer Hospital almost every day, to visit his patients and/or to be of help to others.
‘He was an Oxford School Board member; a task that takes time and often is a thankless and unappreciated position. He was involved with the community I consider him an outstanding citizen of our community.
‘As our Family Physician for over 30 years, we are glad and feel fortunate David was a part of our lives. We wish Katherine Jennings the best and think that they were a couple made for each other.?
? Ernie and Ruth Gruenberg
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I worked for Dr. Jennings for almost 12 years, until he closed his practice at 35 N. Washington St. to move to the clinic north of town. Those years were some of the most enjoyable years of my working life. Before my employment with him, he was my Doctor and longtime family friend. When I worked for him, my job was never a ‘job?. I looked forward to going to work every day.
One of his many great qualities was his strong belief that family comes first, and he extended that to all of his employees. During my 12 years working for him I never missed one of my children’s school activities or sporting events. In order for me to do this, I sometimes had to leave work 2 hours early twice a week. How many employers would allow an employee to do that, without a gripe, and often a gentle reminder, ‘you better hurry up Vicki, you don’t want to be late?? I think not many. My children worshiped him, especially my son. When he was little and would get sick, he never called for me to help him, he always cried, ‘please get Dr. Jennings?. What a tribute to him.
I will miss Dr. Jennings forever. Here’s to you Dr. ‘J?, my Doctor, my employer, my friend.
? Vicki Heath