Jeremy Cletus Jenniges died at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Tacoma on Jan. 13, 2008, from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident. The Bremerton resident was 36.
Mr. Jenniges was born in Bremerton on Sept. 28, 1971, to Dean and Judy Jenniges. His school years were at Seabeck Elementary, Central Kitsap Junior High, and Central Kitsap High School where he graduated in 1989. He attended Olympic College on a music scholarship. He then received grants in music and continued his education at the University of Puget Sound, majoring in music education and earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1999.
He played football, basketball and baseball, starting at age 7, with Chico Pee Wees and continued playing football through junior high and high school. He received the award for Most Inspirational Player in his senior year.
His other main interest throughout his life was his music. He took piano lessons for 10 years and started singing and accompanying himself at Crosby Chapel in his early teens. He was active in music programs beginning at Seabeck Elementary and continuing through CKJH and CKHS. Throughout those years he received numerous awards in vocal music and was awarded the Best Vocal Performer when he graduated.
Mr. Jenniges worked as an instructional assistant at Klahowya Secondary School, where he also was an assistant football coach for the junior high program for two years. He taught at Cedar Heights Junior High School for three years after earning his teacher’s certificate, where he also was an assistant football coach for two years. Over the years he also worked as a cook and a painter.
When he was in the music program at Olympic College, he started performing with the rock band, Street Heart. Members of that group became Jaded Mary and they performed in Seattle, Tacoma and Kitsap County. He wrote both music and lyrics, and Jaded Mary recorded two CDs which included many of his songs. Band members Leif Wagner, Tim Bertsch and Jamal became the core of his circle of friends for the rest of his life.
In the past year, Mr. Jenniges met a special young woman, Janae Cooper, who became a very important part of his life.
Mr. Jenniges is survived by his parents Dean and Judy Jenniges of Bremerton; brother Jason of Poulsbo; sister Genean (Matt) Page of Seabeck; and nieces and nephews, Allison and Matthew Page and Chance and Ashley Jenniges.
A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Crosby Chapel. Memorial donations can be made in his memory to the Olympic College Foundation, Vocal Music/Student Scholarships, C/O Joan Hanten, 1600 Chester Avenue, Bremerton WA 98337. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Lewis Funeral Chapel.
