Obituary of Ned Phillip Jenne

Mr. Ned Phillip Jenne, 71, of Newton, passed away peacefully at home Tuesday, 22 Jan 2013, surrounded by his wife and family after a two year struggle with pancreatic cancer. Funeral services will be 11:00 A. M. Saturday, 26 Jan 2013, in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (637 Mixon School Road in Ozark) with Bishop Mitch Darley officiating. Interment will follow with Military Honors in Newton City Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, 25 Jan 2013, from 4:00 P. M. until 8:00 P. M. Mr. Jenne was born 23 Jul 1941 in Bremerton, WA, the fifth of six children of Carl and Iva Jenne. Ned was a graduate of Central Kitsap High School in Silverdale, WA, where he excelled in academics and sports. He earned Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Washington State University and administrative credentials from Troy State University in Dothan. He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1964, a decision which greatly impacted and changed the direction of his life. He served as an OV-1 Mohawk pilot in Vietnam. He received a Purple Heart after being shot down while heroically guiding his burning plane to avoid loss of life. His back was fractured by the thrust of the ejection seat seconds before the burning plane exploded 100 feet above the ground. Upon returning from Vietnam, he married Jeanette Kay Jones of Newton in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple 18 Oct 1966. Mr. Jenne taught and coached at Colfax High School in Washington State from 1967 to 1972, and then moved his family to Newton, AL. He taught at Houston Academy from 1972 until health complications prevented his completing his 41st, the current, school year. He is widely known for his ability to teach science, including organic chemistry, as well as chemistry and physics. He is equally known for quick wit, love of students, code of conduct, and instilling life lessons and work ethic by precept and example. His motto in and out of the classroom has been: "Always do the right thing." He was an assistant, and then successful head football coach between 1972 and 1989. He served faithfully in leadership positions in the church, including that of Bishop. He held many positions working with youth, adults, counseling and administration. He loved family history, and spent years researching his ancestors as well as the genealogies recorded in the scriptures. Thus, he is currently having a great reunion with those he knows so much about. In 1986, he was called as the first Stake President of the newly organized Dothan Alabama Stake and served in that capacity until 1995. These positions are without pay. He was the ultimate leader both inside and outside the church and helped others become leaders through his example and willingness to serve. He never hesitated to share his ideas and train other people in order to help them reach their potential. He was more concerned with the success of others than his own. Mr. Jenne was preceded in death by his infant son, Benjamin Carl; parents, Carl and Iva Jenne; sisters, Ellen Swanberg, and Barbara Beetham. He is survived by his wife, Jeanette; sons, Bruce (Annette) Jenne of Dothan, and Brian (Courtney) Jenne of Newton; and grandchildren, Austin, Savannah, Emma, Lily, Dillon, and Maddie Jenne. Surviving siblings are David (Beth) Jenne of Mattawa, WA; Roy Jenne of Boulder, CO; and Linda (Ed) Peterson of Port Orchard, WA, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Contributions may be made to the Ned Jenne Education Fund, Houston Academy, 901 Buena Vista Drive, Dothan, AL 36303. Service Information