Jennings Ray Bryant, Jr., 71, of Leonardtown, MD passed away at home on June 18, 2026 with his loved ones. He was born on September 28, 1954 in Memphis, TN to Jennings Ray Bryant, Sr. and Evelyn Marie Grevinsky.
Jennings was a talented and enthusiastic hobbyist, he could create or fix anything – he loved woodworking, gardening (especially summer varieties including cosmos, sunflowers, and zinnias), and home improvement projects of all kinds. Jennings appreciated many interest in the lives of his loved ones.
Jennings was a lifelong learner. He earned his high school diploma from Indian River High Scholl in Chesapeake, Virginia. From there, he went on to earn his BS in Biology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPI, known as Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, Virginia. He later went on to become one of the county’s first Certified Respiratory Therapists. Jennings continued his education with Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia to pursue a career in engineering, which afforded him the opportunity to earn his Master’s Degree from Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana.
Jennings as a mechanical engineer for 31 years at NAS PAX River. His experience and expertise in propulsion and air vehicle mechanical systems were extensive. Most recently and most notably, Jennings served as the Chief Engineer and Subject Matter Expert to the Variable Cycle Advanced Technology effort and Navy Task Force energy program, qualifying all Navy aircraft for operation on alternate fuels (biofuel) coordinating with U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force.
On September 6, 2014 he married his “dear wife,” Leigh Anne Everett, in Leonardtown, MD.
Jennings’ memory lives on with his daughters, Jane Marie Bryant Dionne (Erik), Jana Marie Everett (Thomas), and three granddaughters – Tallulah, Winnie Ray, and Adelaide.
The family will receive friends on Monday, June 29, 2026 from 11:00am to 12:00pm with a Memorial Service at 12:00pm at Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Interment will be private.
Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldsfuneral.com.
Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
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