JENNEMANN – Vincent Francis, went to be with our Lord on September 26, 2011. He passed away peacefully in his home at Montereau in Tulsa where he was surrounded by his adoring children. Vincent Francis was born to Leo Francis and Agnes Robbe Jennemann in St. Louis, Mo. on November 27, 1921. As a teenager, he met the love of his life, Frances Robinson. Their Catholic faith brought them together in a city-wide youth group. Vince and Frances courted through high school, college and WWII.

Vince served his country as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps. As a B-29 pilot, he flew 26 missions out of the Pacific Island of Guam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal for extraordinary achievement and was decorated with a Purple Heart. He continued service in the U.S. Air Force Reserve until 1961. Vince married Frances in 1946 and together they raised a loving family of seven children.

He earned a B.S. in Meteorology in 1947 and a M.S. in Geophysics in 1949 from St. Louis University. He later studied at Columbia University and, in 1972, received his Ph.D. in Geophysics from the University of Tulsa. Vince worked as a geophysicist and computer analyst for Amoco Corp. for more than 30 years before taking early retirement in 1984. He was a longtime member of the Geophysical Society of Tulsa and Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society.

Vince and Frances were 50-year members of Christ the King Church where they served as Lectors and Eucharistic ministers. For years, they coordinated the activities of St. Louis Univ. Alumni in Tulsa. In 1975, they founded the Discoveries Club, Inc., a travel group which emphasized the study of art, architecture, history and cultures. They led thousands of Tulsans on tours throughout North America and across the world, visiting more than 70 countries multiple times during a span of 30 years. They established relationships with the best guides in every city and country, and created a worldwide network of friends and resources, all with the goal of giving each traveler once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Vince thrived on serving God and serving others. He volunteered his time and energy through several organizations and donated his blood to the American Red Cross as often as was allowed. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who guided his family by leading a life of unwavering spiritual conviction and intellectual curiosity. Kindness, compassion, patience, generosity and humility were evident in all of his actions. He was the ultimate gentleman in every sense of the word. His varied passions included promoting peace in the world, the metric system, archeology, mathematics, linguistics, exercise, etymology, geography, and two-dollar bills. His witty sense of humor, his gentle and loving nature, and his strength of character will be greatly missed and long remembered.

Vince was predeceased by his beloved wife, Frances, son, Joseph, and sisters, Margaret Vernay and Agnes Jennemann. Survivors include his children, Frances (and Dr. Randy) Bohon, Cathy (and Derek) Audley, Martha (and Dan) Niehaus, Charles Jennemann, Mark (and Susan) Jennemann, Mary (and Stan) Broussard, 15 admiring grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Friends may honor Vince's memory by donating to Catholic Charities, or the Memorial Fund at Montereau, 6800 S. Granite Ave., where he and Frances had a wonderful extended family of residents and staff.

A Rosary will be held at 5 p.m., Sunday, October 2 at Fitzgerald's Ivy Chapel, 1402 S. Boulder. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, October 3 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 16th St. and Quincy Ave. Interment at Calvary Cemetery.

Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel 918-585-1151.