Obituary

Darrell Leon “DJ” Jennings, 67, of Waukee, Iowa died at Mercy Hospital on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 with his family by his side.

DJ “D” was born June 19, 1955 in Lebanon, Missouri to James Ernest Jennings, Sr. & Vada Maxine Henson. He had 4 siblings Jr, Carol, Connie and Kerry. After high school he was employed as an over the road truck driver and went on to receive his GED and then continued his education at Lincoln Technical Institute where he received his degree in auto mechanics. As a mechanic he worked at many dealerships, owned D&J Auto and ended his career as a shop foreman with Freedom Tire before he had to retire.

Darrell was married to Cheryl Dillenburg in 1974, and through that marriage they had 4 children named Joshua (Karla) Jennings, Liberty Jennings, Christie Jennings and Elizabeth Jennings. Darrell and Cheryl went their separate ways and he later married Kali Reed in 1999 and became a bonus father to 6 boys Adam Runyan, Nic Runyan, Jerad Tjaden, Brandon (Stacie) Tjaden, Kevin Tjaden and Kyle Tjaden. Darrell has 21 grandkids and 4 great grandbabies. Let’s not forget about his beloved dog Miea who was his companion for the last 3 years.

If you knew Darrell you know he LOVED the Kansas City Chiefs and the Royals. He enjoyed fishing with his brother and son then later his grandson. Darrell also enjoyed playing guitar which he was self-taught from the age of 15 he would play and sing anytime you could get him to up until he just couldn’t then he would enjoy listening to his daughter and granddaughter sing to him. He enjoyed NASCAR and racing which he enjoyed doing with his bonus sons and grandsons. He really enjoyed golfing and going to watch races with his brother Jr.

Darrell is preceded in death by both of his parents James and Maxine, two daughters Christie and Elizabeth and 1 brother Kerry Jennings.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Peggy Coleman for helping our father take care of his pup during all of his hospital stays and appointments and making sure when he was home, he was still cared for when we weren’t there. Ms. Peg you will never know what you mean to us.

Darrell’s family will greet friends from 3:00pm to 4:00pm, Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Iles Grandview Park Chapel, 3211 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50317. His funeral service will begin at 4:00pm following visitation. Cremation will follow his funeral and his cremains will be interred at Trinity Hills Cemetery, Decatur City, Iowa at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to Darrell's family.


ILES GRANDVIEW PARK CHAPEL

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