Jack Leland Fennell

Jack Leland Fennell, 84, of Nokesville, Virginia passed away in his home on the afternoon of 04 November 2024, due to complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Born on 17 May 1940, in Edmon, Pennsylvania, Jack was the fifth child and only son of Fay Neal Fennell and Vivien Elizabeth (Stout) Fennell. He moved to Northern Virginia at about 11 years old, where he attended and was a graduate of Annandale High School’s class of 1959. After marrying his first wife, Marilyn Sue (Long) Fennell, Jack joined the U.S. Navy on 18 January 1961, where he served on the USS Fort Snelling during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. He was honorably discharged on 15 January 1965 and served in the Reserves until 17 January 1967. He was a recipient of the Good Conduct Medal. After his Navy career ended, Jack spent years working in the automotive industry as a Service Manager and later transitioned into the construction field as a Superintendent before starting a construction company in the 1980s called J2 Construction, which he owned and operated until his retirement in the mid-2000s. An avid outdoorsman, Jack enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening for most of his adult life. He loved the outdoors and was happiest when riding one of his tractors, and he spent much of his time in his retirement years caring for his lawn. He loved Nokesville and spent many years participating in the Nokesville Day parades, driving his tractor. He loved doing things for others, was loyal to his family, friends, and community, and he never met a dog that he didn’t like. Nothing was more important to Jack than his family. He became the “man” of the house at a very young age, when his father unexpectedly died in a coal mining accident. He took that job very seriously throughout his life as he looked after his mother and older sisters. He remained close to all of them until their deaths and used to host annual “Apple Butter Day” events at his Nokesville home, where he and his family and friends would spend the majority of a day making apple butter for them and to share with others. Jack attended Nokesville Methodist Church with his daughter, Jacqui, and later joined the Church. He was active in the Church for many years and made and enjoyed many friendships there. He especially enjoyed talking with members of the congregation about baseball and football and was a devoted fan to his beloved Washington Nationals and Washington Redskins/Commanders. He was a dedicated member of the Hector’s Breakfast Club and enjoyed the weekly fellowship until his declining health prevented him from being able to attend. Jack is preceded in death by his parents, Fay and Vivien; his four sisters, Arelene, Eilene, Patricia, and Joan; and his first daughter, Jacquelyn Leigh (Fennell) Mason. He is survived by his second daughter, Gwendolyn Fennell Gilliam and grandson William Fennell Mason of Nokesville, Virginia. In lieu of a traditional funeral, Jack’s remains were cremated, and a celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025 11am at the Nokesville Methodist Church.

Jack Leland Fennell

May 17, 1940 - November 4, 2024