Jack Spicer Renney

Monday, March 17, 2008

Jack Ninny

Jack always referred to this photo as "Jack Ninny".

Jack Spicer Renney

Jack Renney, a World War II war hero who flew 89 missions on "The Hump" and owner of one of Stockton's first car dealerships (Renney Motors) passed away quietly last Sunday, surrounded by family. He was 87. Renney was a student at College of the Pacific enrolled in a Civilian Pilot Training program when World War II began. Within a few years, he would be flying C-46s in one of the most treacherous areas of the war: over the Himalayan Mountains and into China. In an area where 1,000 men and 600 planes were lost, Renney's 89 missions and heroics earned him The Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.

Jack Renney was the son of Lyleton Earl Renney and Florence Viola Spicer Renney, fifth generation Californians, who had three children in addition to Jack. They included Earl Dabney Renney, Robert Lyleton Renney and Florence Renney Goeppert (all deceased). He was proud to grow up in Stockton, attending El Dorado Grammar School, Stockton High and College of the Pacific. It was at Stockton High in 1936 where he met Jacqueline Estelle Klein, whom he would marry on April 23, 1947, after he had completed his military obligations. He had left Stockton in 1943 to become a flight instructor, first in New Mexico and then in Arizona, and returned home in 1946 as a captain and true American hero. He became a partner with his brother at Stockton's Renney Motors, the city's first-ever Buick Dealership located on Miner Street. They also owned Renney Hardware. Jack's father, Lyleton, founded Renney Motors in 1915 with the assistance of San Francisco's Buick magnate Charlie Howard, who also happened to own the world's most famous race horse, Seabiscuit. Jack managed Renney Motors for 35 years, until 1975.

Jack and Jackie built their first-and-only home in Stockton on West Longview Avenue and it was there they raised two children, Jill Ann Renney, now Jill Corkern, and James Lyleton Renney. Jack was president of the BBB Tri-County in 1964 and president and member of the Board of the Stockton New Car Dealers Association. He also was a member of the Stockton Boys Club and San Joaquin American Heart Association. He enjoyed salmon fishing in Monterey Bay and working on home improvements at his beach house. But it was his wife, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for whom he showed the most pride and love.

High Flight

Oh, I have slipped
the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies
on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed,
and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds –
and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of –
wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence.
Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting
wind along, and flung
My eager craft through
footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious,
burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights
with easy grace
Where never lark,
or even eagle flew
And, while with silent,
lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed
sanctity of space,
Put out my hand,
and touched the face of God.

– John Gillespie Magee

Jack Spicer Renney

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

A Twinkle In His Eye

Monday, March 17, 2008

Serving His Country

Every Good Boy

Sailing, Sailing

Jack Ninny

Jack Spicer Renney

Flying the Hump

Learn More About The Hump

High Flight

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