The Reverend Dr. R. Dixon “Dick” Jennings, 93, of the Meth-Wick Community in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. In agreement with his wishes, cremation has taken place and a celebration of Dick’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at First Presbyterian Church in Marion, where a visitation will follow for an hour.
Dick was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, a son of Ralph S. and Lauda Jennings. He grew up in Salt Lake City and graduated from Westminster College in Salt Lake City. Dick earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree from San Francisco Theology Seminary, San Anselmo, California.
His pastorates were First Presbyterian Church, Kimball, Nebraska; First Presbyterian Church Bridgeport, Nebraska; Central Presbyterian Church, Omaha, Nebraska; Trinity Presbyterian Church, Ogden, Utah; and Henderson Presbyterian Church, Henderson, Nevada.
Dick then became an interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Rochelle, Illinois; First Presbyterian Church Monticello, Illinois; Arcadia Avenue Presbyterian Church, Peoria, Illinois; First Presbyterian Church, Williamsburg, Iowa; Olivet Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and First Presbyterian Church, Independence, Iowa.
Dick is survived by his wife of 70 years, Shirley Jennings of Cedar Rapids; two sons, Steven (Kelley) Jennings of Colorado, and David (Kim) Jennings of Iowa; two brothers, Lee N. (Gladys) Jennings of Washington, and Ronald C. (Marilyn) Jennings of Idaho; six grandchildren, Angela (Claudio) Toma, Eric Jennings, Zoë Jennings, Quinn Jennings, Michelle (Austin) Katt, and Ryan (Heather) Jennings; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, William L. Cone; and four stepsisters, Helen Zerwas, Betty Henderson, Beverly Palmer, and Catherine Muchow.
In lieu of flowers, Dick’s family requests donations to First Presbyterian Church in Marion, or to the Meth-Wick Community of Cedar Rapids.