James William Jennings of Colorado Springs, Colorado, died Sunday, April 12, 2020 at the age of 88.
Jim, as he was known to friends, family, and colleagues, was a petroleum engineer by training and education but would try his hand at almost anything, usually with successful results. Throughout his life he was an early adopter of broadcast and computer technology, building a color TV and a home computer from kits for his family. He was also a ham radio operator, broadcasting under the callsign W5EUT.
Born in Luling, Texas, on September 23, 1931, Jim graduated high school at age 16. Afterward, his family moved to Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado, where they built log cabins and furniture to open a guest ranch. Jim returned to carpentry often throughout his life, building everything from custom cabinets for his house in Texas and his daughter’s house in Colorado Springs, to furniture and musical instruments: his creations included several guitars and violins, a mandolin, an Appalachian mountain dulcimer, and a Baroque string instrument called a viola de gamba.
