Obituary
Berry Jennings, 79, of Lee’s Summit, MO, passed away on April 20, 2024, surrounded by the love of his family.
Berry was born February 4, 1945, to Walter and Martha Jennings in Sedalia, Missouri. He graduated from Smith Cotton High in Sedalia and went on to graduate from Central Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.
Berry began working for State Farm Insurance in 1968. He moved his office to Valle Vista Shopping Center in Lee’s Summit in 1974. Berry has been a presence on 291 Highway in Lee’s Summit for the last 50 years, devoting his life to serving his clients. He moved his family to Lee’s Summit in 1976 and has been an active part of the community ever since. Just to highlight a few: Berry served multiple terms as President of the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce. He was a co-founder of the community’s Independence Day celebration, Cole Younger Days. Berry was also active in the schools, serving as PTA President, Room Parent (one of the first Dads to do so), and on the Board of Education. Berry served on the Lee’s Summit Citizens Advisory Committee, as President of the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council, as a board member of Lee’s Summit Community Hospital, as a Trustee and member of the finance committee for Lee’s Summit United Methodist Church, and on the Prairie Township Fire Board.
Family was a focus for Berry. His five grandchildren are his pride and joy. He never missed a birthday, holiday, or school performance for his grandkids. On any Friday night during football season you’d find him in Oak Grove rooting on his grandsons, Sam and Will. Berry enjoyed questioning grandson, Jeffrey, about any potential cybersecurity threats in the news. He was extremely proud of granddaughter, Katie, for pursuing her dream of becoming a dentist. Berry was quick to let everyone caring for him know that his granddaughter, Meredith, was a registered nurse too.
Berry is survived by his wife, Jennifer Jennings of Lake Winnebago; daughter, Christy (Randy) Scarborough of Lee’s Summit; son, Jeff (Michelle) Jennings of Oak Grove; grandchildren Jeffrey Scarborough, Meredith Scarborough, Kathleen Jennings, Samuel Jennings, and William Jennings; stepsons, David Weber of St Louis, Patrick (Lindsay) Weber of Raytown; and mother-in-law, Polly Hardcastle. Berry is also survived by his brother, Cam (Tina) Jennings of Sedalia, MO, and sister, Cindy (Sam) Gunter of Ashland, MO, as well as nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Berry was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Martha Jennings; and grandson, Thomas Scarborough.
Visitation will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Langsford Funeral Home 5:00 – 8:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Lee’s Summit History Museum at PO Box 835, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063. www.leessummitmuseum.com
*Please indicate your donation is in memory of Berry Jennings
Arrangements by Langsford Funeral Home, 115 SW 3rd Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
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Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Berry was like a brother to me during all our school and Girl Scout adventures…………he never failed to answer a need………….we will miss you, Berry! Love to the kids….memories are sweet!
Berry was a dear friend for the past 20years. He will be greatly missed.
I’m so sorry to hear about Berry’s passing. He was a wonderful man. He was also an outstanding State Farm Agent.
Oh my…. so sorry to hear of Berry’s passing….Berry was one of a kind…so many good memories of trips with he and Jennifer. He was a very successful State Farm agent and will be missed by many!
When I met Berry in May of 1974 I knew we would become good friends. Berry had a great sense of humor and a helping hand whenever anyone needed him. I will miss him and his kindness. The community lost a great friend!!!
I am so saddened to hear of Berry’s passing. What a great guy! He was truly someone I looked up to and always strived to be half the agent, person and friend that he was. My prayers are with the family and all the community that truly lost a great one.
Roger
Berry, was a great agent but yet humble. We was always like your best friend. He will be missed and he left us all of us way too soon.
I’m so sorry to hear of Berry’s passing – what a great person, someone all of us enjoyed being around.
Jenni and family sending love and condolences for your loss. God Bless 💕
I was honored to know Barry as a friend and an employer when he hired me at the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council. For all the years I was there very he was insightful, provided valuable leadership and was a lead investor and thought leader in many community issues. His friendship and leadership will be truly missed.
Please accept my deepest condolences to you and your family over the loss of Berry. So sorry to hear of his passing. Great agent to work with both of you over the years.
So sorry to hear of Berry’s passing.
Our condolences to all.
Bill and Brenda Morrow
Dear Jennings Family, I don’t know where to start. I met Berry in a LUTC insurance class in Independence. With that being said I loved him from day one and I did all of my car, and p&c insurance with Berry at State Farm. I let my children know also to do all of their insurance needs with Berry and they have. Finally I want to let Jennifer and the Jennings family know that Berry was unequivocally a great man and he will be sorely missed! The Cahill Family
Berry will be missed in the community! He was a great resource for young business owners and individuals trying to navigate the corporate world.
Thank you Berry for your mentorship and the example you set as a family man and business leader.
Frank and I moved to Lee’s Summit and Berry was/ is our State Farm Agent since then. He was a great agent, and always took care of vehicle, and all housing issues in a compassionate and kind manner.
We will certainly miss him and pray blessings of comfort and memories of family/ business and fun times for the family in a life lived serving the community he loved.
Berry was my first insurance agent when I got my driver’s license. Over the years I enjoyed seeing him at Insurance events. He was an inspiration on me getting into the insurance industry. I have been at Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance for 33 years now.