Harold Jones Jennifer

Harold Jones Jennifer Jr. died at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home on August 12, 2008 of complications resulting from myelofibrosis, a rare form of anemia. Mr. Jennifer was born in Washington, DC on March 3, 1922. He graduated from Washington’s Dunbar High School in 1939 after an outstanding high school career where he excelled as a student and lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. Harold entered Springfield College in Massachusetts as a freshman that year, where he majored in physical education and participated in basketball and baseball. During World War II, Mr. Jennifer proudly served in the Army, rising to the rank of first lieutenant. He was stationed in such places as Ft. McClellan, Alabama, Ft. Lewis, Washington, and Ft. Huachuca, Arizona where he organized recreation programs on those respective bases. While on break from Springfield, prior to the war, Harold met Ruth Riley of Los Angeles, CA on the campus of Howard University. They were married, and from that union two sons, Harold III (deceased) and Clinton were conceived. After the war, Harold went on to graduate from Springfield College twice, receiving his BS in Physical Education in 1947 and his M.Ed. in Education Administration in 1948. His first job was as Physical Director at the Druid Hill YMCA, which brought him to Baltimore. He left the “Y” after a year and a half and went to work for the Baltimore Bureau of Recreation where he served primarily as District Supervisor for fourteen years. In 1964 he was appointed to Assistant Director at the new Baltimore Civic Center; and in 1966 he was promoted to Executive Director. Mr. Jennifer held that position during the heyday of the Civic Center until 1976. Subsequently, he launched a career in real estate in the Annapolis area in semi-retirement while enjoying life on the Chesapeake Bay. Harold Jennifer was a long time member and past National President of the Guardsmen social club. He also was President of the International Auditorium Managers Association, Chairman of the Druid Hill YMCA Board of Directors, member of the Maryland Physical Fitness Commission, Morgan State University Foundations Board, and he was Trustee Emeritus at Springfield College and a recipient of the College’s highest honor – the Tarbell medallion.According to son Clinton W. Jennifer, “My dad bled Springfield College maroon; and he perfectly embodied the College’s motto: Leadership in Service to Others.” Sister Jean Brooks of Washington, D.C. added, “I had a very loving and devoted brother.” Other survivors include six grandchildren; Jai Jennifer of Oakland, CA, Riley Jennifer of Santa Maria, California, Jacob, Jasmin, Joy, and Ali Jennifer (all of Columbia, MD). Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Morgan State University Development Office with “Sonny J./Iota Phi Theta” Scholarship Fund on the memo line. A memorial service is planned for March West Funeral Home in Baltimore on August 23rd at 3 pm.

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Harold Jones Jennifer

March 3, 1922 - August 12, 2008