Dwight Leroy Jennings

Dwight Leroy Jennings was born in Muscatine, Iowa, on November 23, 1956 to Norman and Gertrude (Ross) Jennings.  He was welcomed by older siblings William, Linda, and Beth.  The family moved often around Iowa for Norm’s work as an electrician before finally settling in Ellston, Iowa.  Dwight graduated from nearby Mount Ayr High School in 1975.  He went on to serve in the United States Air Force, spending two of those years as a crew chief at Spangdahlen Air Force Base in Germany before departing the service in 1981 at the rank of sergeant.  

Following in his father’s footsteps, Dwight embarked on a 4-decade career in the electrical industry.  He married Diane Short in 1978, instantly choosing to become a father to Allen.  God then blessed the couple with Michael in 1980, followed by Luke in 1984, and Katy in 1987.  The family traveled around Iowa for Dwight’s work, then Missouri, before finally making their home in Glenrock, Wyoming.  The couple divorced in 1992 and Dwight, Michael, Luke, and Katy returned to Iowa, while Allen stayed in Glenrock.  It didn’t take long, however, for love to bring Dwight and the kids back to Wyoming, this time, Gillette.  Dwight married Debra (Johnson) Brower and her two sons, Daniel and Robert, in May 1993, blending two families into one.

 Dwight and Debbie were very active in the Wyoming Jaycees for the first several years of their journey together.  In addition to holding local and regional positions, Dwight served as the 57^th State President in 1994-95, earning the nickname Brother Love for his dynamic preacher speaking style.  When asked if they would have any children together, the couple replied that they had adopted.  When asked what they got, they replied, “a beagle.”  The couple enjoyed traveling around the state with the four boys and Charlie, the wonder beagle, stopping at historical sites, touring museums, and taking in the beauty of the Cowboy State.  

 Dwight trekked around the country for many years as an electrical contractor, managing projects for cement plants, power plants, data centers, refineries, and wherever his talents were needed.   Dwight’s travel afforded him and Debbie opportunities to explore historical sites and tourist attractions from New England to the Midwest, southwest, and west coast.  He retired from Eaton Corporation in April 2023.   Dwight enjoyed working in his woodshop, building gifts for the grandkids.  He and Debbie were looking forward to traveling and getting reacquainted after some 25 years of Dwight being on the road.  You were never a stranger to Dwight, even if you’d just met.  

 He is survived by his wife of nearly 31 years, Debra, his sons Allen (Miranda) Jennings, Michael Jennings, Luke (Afton) Jennings, Daniel (Melisa) Brower, and Robert (Lindsey) Brower, and daughter Katy (Jennings) Kuglar, along with 16 grandchildren; Gracia, Bryston, Lekili, Taylor, Liberty, Xannah, Hailey, Madilyn, Alexandra, Oaklend, Jacoby, Kayden, Joplyn, Alice, Judyth, and Theodore, brother Bill (Elaine) Jennings of Belton, Missouri, and sister Linda (Ronnie) Binning of Grand River, Iowa, along with many, many friends and extended family members who knew him as Grandpa Dwight.  Dwight passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on March 19, 2024, at the age of 67, embracing his new life with Jesus.  Dwight was preceded in death by his parents and sister Beth.  He will be fondly remembered for his loving heart, bear hugs, quick wit, and “jackass-eating-thistles” grin.  

 A celebration of life will begin at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Inspiration Gardens-Mount Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette.   Full military honors will be bestowed on Dwight.  Interment will immediately follow.  The family invites you to a luncheon afterward at the community room on-site at Mount Pisgah to share your stories and memories of Dwight with everyone.  Should the weather not be cooperative, services will be moved indoors to the community center.  

 If you would like to remember Dwight, do it with a hug and a smile, and never stop telling the people you care about that you love them.