Gary Jenness

(From Parker Mortuary)

Gary Layne Jenness, age 58, Webb City, passed away at 3:41 p.m. Friday, October 25, 2019 at Mercy Hospital after a sudden illness.

Gary was born April 6, 1961 in Joplin to Betty Ann (Watkins) Jenness and the late Earl Wayne Jenness. He had lived in the Joplin area most of his life.

Gary worked as a registered nurse for over 27 years, mostly at various medical facilities in the Joplin area. For a time, he also enjoyed working as a travel nurse.

Gary was a passionate writer and poet. He enjoyed music and loved animals. His favorite pastime was collecting playing cards, which began when he was six years old. He had an extensive collection of over 1500 decks.

Family was most important to Gary. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son and brother.

He married Helen Meeker on June 18, 1999 in Ithaca, New York. She survives at the home.

Additional survivors include Shira (daughter) & Jason Blalock and Quinn (grandson), Jane, Missouri; Betty Jenness (mother), Joplin; Vicki (sister) & Terry Nicoletti, Vincennes, Indiana; Dr. Jeff (brother) & Terri Jenness, Jonesboro, Arkansas; Traci (sister) & Ron Hadley, Joplin; and Pat Meeker (mother-in-law), Ithaca, New York.

Services are planned for Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary Chapel, Rev. Doug Wilkerson officiating. Interment follows in Burkhart Cemetery, Racine. The family will receive friends Friday from 11:00 a.m. until service time. Make memorial contributions to the Joplin Humane Society through Parker Mortuary