J. Harry Jeanes

J.HARRY JEANES James Harry Jeanes, passed away September 22. A native Wacoan and Regent Emeritus of Baylor University, Jeanes lived a humble life of service and philanthropy, garnering repute as a steadfast pillar in the community. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, September 27, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco, with a graveside service following at Oakwood Cemetery. Dr. Marshall Edwards, retired pastor of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, will deliver the eulogy and Larry Smith of Baylor University will preside. After graduating from Baylor University in 1934 with a bachelor of business administration degree, Jeanes adamantly contributed to the well-being of others through quiet service and diligent leadership. Jeanes enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War II and earned a Bronze Star for meritorious service during the invasion of Iwo Jima. He spent the following years building the largest savings and loan institution in Central Texas and achieved the highest pinnacle of his profession during his 51-year career at First Federal Savings and Loan of Waco. He was a member of the prestigious Executive Committee of the United States Savings and Loan League and of the Federal Savings and Loan Advisory Council. In 1984, Jeanes received the coveted Texas Savings and Loan League Award for Outstanding Public Service. An ardent civic-leader, Jeanes served as president of the Waco Rotary Club, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Symphony Associates, Waco Boys Club Board and the Texas Savings and Loan League, and as campaign chair for the Greater Waco United Fund. He was a long-time member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church. Jeanes faithfully supported his alma materBaylor Universitymost notably through 18 years of service as a member of the Board of Trustees and as Regent Emeritus since 1990. In 1999, Harry and Anna Jeanes were awarded the Founders Medallion, Baylor University's most distinguished award. In 2006, Jeanes received an honorary doctor of humane letters from the University acknowledging his lifelong service. He also was recognized as a recipient of the W. R. White Meritorious Service Award and as a Distinguished Alumnus. Harry and Anna, who also was a Baylor graduate, established an endowment for the Academic Honors Week program and made vital provisions for the Harry and Anna Jeanes Discovery Center, the centerpiece of the Mayborn Museum Complex, which benefits both children and adults in the Waco community and beyond. After the passing of his wife in 2007, Jeanes established endowed scholarship funds at Baylor University in athletics, music and business in her loving memory. Jeanes' faithful stewardship of time, talents and financial resources has left a deeply imbedded imprint on the Waco community. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Anna Sturgis Jeanes, and his parents, Joe Hackney Jeanes and Lena Jeanes. In honor of J. Harry Jeanes' life of exemplary service and generosity, memorial gifts may be made to Baylor University, One Bear Place #97026, Waco, TX 76798, and directed toward the Harry and Anna Jeanes Discovery Center. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey