Steven Jennings
September 16, 1953 ~ March 4, 2022
Steven Edward Jennings, 68, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Friday, March 4, 2022. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2022, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Mass: 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Private burial at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Those unable to attend are invited to watch the service via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Steve's tribute wall and share your support and memories with his family at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.
Survivors include his siblings, William (Linda Loft) Jennings, Judith (Jeff Hoover) Jennings Hoover, Nancy (Kevin Zvacek) Jennings, and Tim Loesel; uncle, Virgil Miner; nieces, Dara, Dorian, Stephanie, and Melanie; nephews, Aaron, David, Dalton, and Nicholas; several cousins; and many wonderful friends.
Steve was born on September 16, 1953, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Frank Jr. and Joyce (Wolf) Jennings. He graduated from Washington High School in 1971, where he also served as class president. Steve was a one-of-a-kind guy. He made fast friends with his outgoing personality and ability to talk with anyone. He was an amazing storyteller with an awesome sense of humor.
Steve will be remembered for his musical passions. From his days of watching American Bandstand as a toddler, to his high school band, Stone Garden, and later being the lead singer for Tower, Steve loved music and entertaining the crowds. Steve followed music as his choice of careers working at JBL, the Audio Room, Five Seasons Center, the Mark, Paramount and running lights and sound for many bands. His larger-than-life presence will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and niece, Alycia.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
Steve's family extends heartfelt appreciation to his many wonderful friends for always being there for him, especially the past few months. Your kindness will always remembered.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Cedar Rapids
Bill and Judy – My condolences on your loss. Steve and I went to IC grade school and Washington high school together. He in fact served as President of our Class of 1971, and had attended our 50th Reunion last fall. Steve was a great ambassador for both schools and regaled both student groups with ribald and mischievous humor, and long, engrossing tales of life in Cedar Rapids. Later in life I heard him sing in local bands and he had a strong tenor voice that rivaled Steve Perry, Marty Balin and Mickey Thomas. Despite recent health challenges these past few years, Steve always maintained a positive outlook, and remained amused at life and current events. I will miss his laughter and loud shout outs. May he rest in peace and enjoy happy reunions with family and friends whom proceeded him.
Steve was a leader, Steve did more for live music than anyone else, He was The Boss
Steve was one of a kind!
Steve was such a funny, witty, great guy to know! I will miss him and am very grateful that I had a chance to work with him. Rest easy Steve!!
Steve was a few years older than me but he was a living legend during our days at Washington High School in the 70’s. Later in our life our paths met again when he was part of the care team for an elderly friend of mine living at Cottage Grove Place. Steve was an absolute sweetheart. I loved bumping into him most often at Aldi where I saw him just a few months ago. Rest in Peace Steve, you were one of a kind.
He was a good friend of my brother at McKinley and Washington. He came to my brothers funeral and later his grandmother or aunt was a resident of the Lutheran home in Vinton.
working with Steve at the 5 seasons venue, sometimes he would get us laughing so hard my stomach would hurt. going to miss him dearly. God Bless , Steve, RIP
Steve was a beloved friend for many decades. We shared some great adventures together both inside and outside of music. I will always cherish our friendship.
We will miss “Steven Jennings”.
I had the pleasure to work with Steve at the Audio Room for many years. He would have us laughing so hard the tears ran down your face. When my father passed several years ago, I was at the service and Steve walked in. Had not seen him in almost 30 years.. but he showed up. He put a smile on my face on a sad day. RIP my friend, you will be missed.
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Yes Steve was BOSS memory eternal
King! The original Killer-bad! Love you forever man!
Heaven is smiling to have received Steve…I was a soph at Wash as he was a senior. I vividly remember his smile and walk, his hair swaying as he did. I’m so very sorry for your loss. Terrie
Steve was a year ahead of me at Washington HS. I worked with him at the Audio Room, and he was a great person, hugely funny and a great audio technician.
Steve was the ‘epitome of cool’, he left quite an impression on my sister and me. Was a treat running into him from time to time through the years. Always a memorable conversation! Rest In Peace friend.
In the early 80’s, when I was an early teen, I snuck in to Pat McGlynn’s bar and Tower played Flying High Again. My jaw dropped. What a cool person. Brian W.
What can I say about Steve? He was funny, warm, “chatty” and very smart. I had some real fun times with him in high school, some I can’t share here but I’m sure a lot of you had them too! I would say the funniest thing he ever said to me, but it has a bad word in it and I’m sure this is a family site!
Steve was a year ahead of me at Wash – one day I dropped all my books and he helped me pick them up, from that day forward he always smiled at me in the hallways. Never saw him after HS but never forgot him
To the Jennings family…I am so sorry for your loss Steve was such a sweet and wonderful person..he will be deeply missed…Wendy cain
My condolences at the loss of your brother. He was quite the philosopher about life and had depth intellectually. Steve will be missed.
I worked with Steve at The Audio Room. I also mixed sound for his band. What can I say? He was truly one of a kind. Off the wall funny, irreverent and the warmest hearted person all rolled up in one. Although I moved away and hadn’t seen him in years. I will always remember him for the times he went out of his way to help me and others. He would always say “it’s no bother”. He is already missed.
The memories I have of Steve are from the 70’s. Although we attended different high schools I always enjoyed listening to the Stone Garden band and hanging out. It was always a good time and a great memory. RIP Steve.
Our prayers, love, peace, and condolences go out to the Jennings families. Another good man gone. The memories expressed here all tell the same story: that Steve was a great guy and friend to all. Anyone who met Steve loved the guy, for his unselfish loyalty to “his people” and his uncanny sense of humor. He was a lover, not a fighter. Never was he anything but upbeat, and his perpetual smile told you exactly who and what Steve was. And talk about a cool dude. He was the first long-haired, true rock and roll lead singer out of Immaculate Conception school. He went on to become the Mick Jagger of Cedar Rapids, fronting several bands during his Washington High School years before embarking on a career in the local and surrounding area clubs. He fulfilled the role, singing with a passion that befitted all the great rock stars of the time. Every time I hear Eric Burden’s “House of The Rising Son” I remember how Steve performed it. Anyone who loved the genre knew Steve. He truly was one of the nicest guys we’ll ever meet. He never forgot his old school mates, and always got to know our siblings as well. Steve will always be fondly remembered. Rest In Peace, our friend.
“Treating people the way you would like to be treated,” was more than just words to Steve Jennings. He knew the Truth and Steve Believed. He walked in this World the way His maker asked him to. It goes without saying that a mere paragraph or two about Steve would not only be inappropriate, it would not be fair, let alone impossible. Steve and I shared the same gratefulness for good people and even better music. When I first met Steve, it was similar to listening to a “Motivational Speaker.” Steve “said what he meant” and “meant what he said.” He could lean on the hood of a car and have a conversation with a single person or captivate hundreds from a stage. What a great Front Man for his band mates. Steve had so much talent and such a great gift of wit. He also had a beautiful level of confidence. I always looked forward to the next time we’d bump into each other. Seeing Steve in a crowd…first, before he saw you, was like he would say “Pure Bliss.” Watching him light up faces as he strolled through any gathering would put a smile on my face. Then the sound of that commanding voice “BOBBY!” HE LOVED LIFE. He enjoyed relatively good health a majority of his days. He watched over and loved his mother. His family was a GodSent he use to say. He enjoyed the brilliance and experience of the folks he transported safely. He lit up their lives and they’ve suffered a loss, as have we. His SMILE and his LAUGH are now echoes in my mind and my heart. Man…he was rare. My dear friend, I cherished it all. The memorable talk we had at Werni’s Tap after hours, was special. 3 in the morning, we chowed down on Harry’s Chili and Maid-Rites. We seriously discussed the talent we possessed of “making people laugh.” Hell…we even discussed going on the road and doing a 40 minute set before the bands came out.” You said “somebody’s got to do it. May as well be us.” We hesitated and missed our chance. We agreed on one important fact. “When someone is laughing, they are not thinking about anything.” We made each other laugh everytime we met and I will miss that. I promise I will never FORGET to REMEMBER. Thank you Steve. “When ever I would see you coming my way… I knew the next 15 minutes of my day, was going to be the BEST 15 minutes of my day.” Now, I just turned around and you are gone. Get some rest now my friend. You made a difference. Always, Bobby
My memories of Steve are from the late 60’s and early 70’s when I lived in Iowa. It is clear from the posted comments that the basic essence of Steve remained unchanged throughout the years. He was a good man with a beautiful soul. What I remember most is his wit, big smile, and contagious laugh. To the family and close friends of Steve, I offer my condolences. Rest In Peace Steve.
As his first cousin 5 years younger than him, I always looked forward to family get togethers and sought him out first. His loud laugh was contagious and oh the stories he told!!
Please accept our sympathy for losing such a great brother. Steve worked with my husband at the Paramount, but after the flood he moved on. We kept in touch with him by Christmas cards and birthday cards of which he always gave us a call to thank us and chat!! I always loved those phone calls!! I also loved his 3 ingredient recipe for his brownies!!! I just baked them in his memory! Steve was such a great Catholic man, he will be missed. Lisa and Jeff Rehman
Hi Nancy, Judy and William. Below is a copy of an email our high school class key communicator (Ann Mahon Hedges) received from a long time friend of Steve’s (Frank Byrne) after she emailed everyone of Steve’s passing. She very kindly forwarded to me so I could share with all of you. —–Original Message—– From: Water Treatment Facility Sent: Tue, Mar 8, 2022 12:22 pm Subject: RE: CR Wash Class of 71 update 3.08.22 Hi Ann, it breaks my heart to hear of Steve’s passing. I knew him since kindergarten. We were good friends in early grade school. I played at his house many a day. He introduced me to these very realistic miniature army soldiers and tanks and sundry other pieces. Steve was always eccentric and fun to be around. He had a brother two years older than us named Bill who was brilliant. I’m sure Steve shared some of those genes. He went to Mckinley in seventh grade. He began pursuing activities at that time that most of us would not experience for some years. In high school and after he was the lead vocalist in a band named, I believe, Stone Garden. A fellow band member was Craig Spratt. Steve was complicated and unpredictable. It was those qualities and others that made him distinctly memorable. I will truly miss him. Play on, Steve. Play on. Frank Byrne. Please pass this on, Ann.
Sorry for your loss too. Steve had good friends, but not too many that can claim Army Men days. Long time Frank. God speed. Bob Wernimont
So sorry for your loss of your old friend. Enjoyed Steve from 10th grade on. To play Army Men with him goes back more than 60 years. Steve mentioned you on a few occasions over the last 30 years. God Speed yo you Frank. Bob Wernimont
Steve helped with what ever was causing problems. He not surprisingly helped many people at the Cottage Grove Place. I know he brought smiles to all in his presents. Steve will be missed by me.
My deepest sympathies to the Jennings family. Steve was my bestfriend through junior and high school. I have such fond memories. He will be missed.
It is apparent from all the comments that Steve touched so many people. He was so irreverent and an iconoclast in the same vein as Frank Zappa. I didn’t know Steve as well as many others posting here, but I was so moved when he reached out to express his condolences when my father passed. I’ll never forget that seemingly insignificant gesture and I’ll never forget Steve. He was truly one of a kind! Rob Fassler
We are thinking of you and your family at this difficult time. Steve was a great guy and always fun to talk to and laugh with.
My sympathy to you in the loss of Steve. I worked at the 5 Seasons Center and the hotel above. What a great guy , his smile and that laugh of his!!!!!! He will be missed. Brenda
Nothing but the fondest memories of Steve. RIP my friend.
The world won’t be the same without you Killer Bad
Bye bud
I knew and worked with Steve at the Paramount Theater for about 15 years in the 1990s to the early 2000s. What can I say, he was a character! As a percussionist with the Cedar Rapids Symphony, we moved some equipment in our day. Steve was so funny and was always a bright light with the stage crew. He had nicknames for everyone (Tommy, Gretchie, etc.) and loved to repeat hilarious one liners like, “you guys is killer bad” over and over. Since those days 15 years ago, whenever I think of Steve, it brings a smile to face. RIP my friend! Tom Mackey
I am so sorry for your loss. Steve was a great guy!
Judy and Family- I’m saddened to learn of Steve’s death. It’s been years since I last saw Steve, but I remember stopping to visit with him. I also remember the FIRST time I met Steve. I was surprised that he knew who I was! I remember seeing him in the hallways between classes, from time-to-time. He was in my sister’s class, two years ahead of us. He was so open and unassuming…a great guy. He made a lasting impression on me and, apparently, on a number of other people as well! Please accept my sincere sympathy at this time of great loss. -Andy Weaver
So sorry for your loss! I was just sitting here telling my wife about Steve and Bill Jennings and how they first turned me on to Pink Floyd, Quicksilver Messenger Service and Frank Zappa! I went on to say we should look Steve up when we go to Cedar Rapids next! So I Googled Steve and found this awful news! Steve and I met at McKinley in 7th grade and were instant friends! I’m so sorry we never met again!
RIP old friend!
One of my fondest memories of Steve is going into Wernis and he had a lampshade on his head. True Steve antics. Always enjoyed running into him. One of the kindest guys I’ve known. We all miss him. Joni