Max L. Jenness, 87

MEREDITH — Max Luciene Jenness, 87, of Upper Mile Point Drive, died suddenly Dec. 6, 2015, at Lakes Region General Hospital, in Laconia.

Born at home in Bridgewater on May 30, 1928, he was the son of John L. and Clara B. (Gilpatric) Jenness.

Max attended all eight grades of elementary school in the one-room school house on Bridgewater Hill, and graduated from Plymouth High School, Plymouth. In 1949, Max earned his BA degree in history from the University of New Hampshire. Following his graduation, Max worked for a year with J.J. Newberry Co. in its manager-training program.

Shortly after the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, he enlisted in the Air Force. During his four years of active duty, he served in Texas, Wyoming, Wheelus Air Force Base in Libya, North Africa and in Germany. After his separation form the Air Force, Max enlisted in the USAF Active Reserves. In 1961, he received a direct commission and was appointed a first lieutenant. After twenty-six years as an enlisted man and officer, he retired with the rank of major. One of his highlights as an active reservist was his attendance at a two-week seminar at the Army War College. It was there he met and became friends with Major General William Lewis, military adviser to then Sen. Margaret Chase Smith of Maine.

In 1954, Max went in to public education and was an educator for 35 years, serving in public school systems of Lebanon, Philmont, New York, and Barre, Vermont. He retired from his 32 years at Barre's Spaulding High School in June 1990.

An active member of his professional organizations, he served twice as President of the Barre (Vermont) Education Association and was a life member of the National Education Association. He served on the Barre Town School Board and was active for many years on the Barre Republican Committee. He was a life-member of the Military Officers Association of America.

During his 32 years in Vermont, he was an active communicant of the First Presbyterian Church (USA) of Barre. He served that church as a trustee and an ordained Elder and member of the Session. When he and his wife moved to Meredith in 1990, he was associated with the First Congregational Church and was also a trustee of the Union Church on Meredith Neck. He served on the Board of Directors of the Meredith Public Health Nursing Association, Meredith.

Max was a 55-year member of the Free and Accepted Masons. He received his Master Mason degree in Mt. Cube Lodge #10 F&AM, Orford, in May 1960. He completed all the York Rite degrees and is a past High Priest of the Granite Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Barre, Vermont. When the Jenness family moved to Meredith, Max transferred his masonic membership to Chocorua Lodge #83 F&AM, now in Holderness. Max served as the lodge's Chaplain for 19 years. He also was an honorary member of the Olive Branch Lodge #16 F&AM and Mount Prospect Lodge #69 F&AM. He served as Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of New Hampshire for

11 years. In 2006, Max received the Major John Sullivan Award from his lodge for outstanding service and in 2015, he awarded the Jeremy Ladd Cross award for outstanding service to the Grand Lodge.

On June 30, 1960, Max married Martha Jane Margwarth in the First Presbyterian Church in Barre, Vermont.

Max was predeceased by his brother, Maurice and two sisters, Margaret S. Cass and Mildred E. Pearl.

Max is survived by his wife of 55 years, M. Jane Jenness of Meredith; his son, Timothy M. Jenness and his wife Emily, of Eldersburg, Maryland; his daughter, Susan J. Fleming and her husband Martin of Milton, Vermont; three grandchildren, Nathan Fleming, Kieran Jenness and Logan Jenness; his brother, Mitchell R. Jenness of Bridgewater; and many nieces and nephews.

A calling hour will be held in the First Congregational Church of Meredith on Saturday, Dec. 19, from 1 to 2 p.m., with a Memorial service to follow in the church at 2 p.m. The Rev. Russell Rowland, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be held in the state Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, at the convenience of the family.

Please omit flowers. Memorial donations may be made in Max's memory to: Squam Valley Masonic Building Association, Route 3, Holderness, NH. 03245, or the Evergreen Place Masonic Home, 813 Beech St., Manchester, NH. 03104, or the First Congregational Church of Meredith, PO Box 533, Meredith, NH. 03253, or the Union Church on Meredith Neck, Meredith, NH. 03253.

The Mayhew Funeral Homes and Crematorium, in Meredith and Plymouth, are assisting the family with their arrangements. To sign Max's Book of Memories go to; www.mayhewfuneralhomes.com