Obituaries
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Rany B. Jennette ~
BUXTON - Rany B. Jennette died Thursday, October 4, 2001 after a long illness. Born at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Rany was the son of Unaka B. and Sudie Scarborough Jennette. His father, Unaka, was the last
light keeper to serve at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. During WWII Rany served as a chief machinist's mate aboard several Coast Guard Cutters. After the war he went to work for the Burrough's Corp. in Durham. In the 1950's Rany returned to Buxton to become owner/operator of Lighthouse Esso Service Center and the Red Drum Tackle Shop. He then moved to Great Bridge, Va. and owned and operated an Exxon Service Center. Around 1965 he became an engineer on a NOAA Oceanographer Research vessel. In the 1970's he returned to his roots for a second time to become the manager of the Cape Hatteras Water Assoc. he finished his work career as Interpretive Park Ranger at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, where he spent many years telling stories of what it was like to grow up at the Lighthouse. He was most proud of this accomplishment. Rany served on the Social Service Board, the Dare Tourist Board, the Lions Club and the VFW. He was a charter member and first president of the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club. He was an active member of the Buxton United Methodist Church and ran for county commissioner. Rany was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Josephine Miller Jennette; and a son, Kil Lee Jennette. He is survived by his wife, Lynn O'Neill Jennette of Buxton; a daughter, Terry Jennette Ponton and her husband John of Philadelphia, Pa.; a son, Timothy E. Jennette of Buxton; granddaughters: Sarah & Susan Ponton of Philadelphia; sisters: Dot and husband James Anderson, Ramona Provo of Elizabeth City, and Myrtle Gibbs of Tarboro; and many nieces and nephews in North Carolina. He is also survived by step-children: John and Dianne O'Neill of Fredericksburg, Va., Connie and Mike Lueders of Medfield, Mass., and Patrick O'Neill of Miami, Fla., as well as step-great-grandchildren: Sean, Alena, Patrick, Melanie O'Neill, and Thomas, Erin, Rebecca and Nicole Lueders. Funeral services were held at the Buxton United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 with the Rev. Holt Clarke officiating. Burial was in the Jennette Family Cemetery. Twiford's Island Chapel in Hatteras handled arrangements.
The Coastland Times
Manteo,
NC
Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001; pg. 14A)
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