Jim Brennan

James "Jim"Leo Brennan of Cookeville, Tenn., died Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at 5 p.m. in Hosparus Inpatient Care Center-Nortton Healthcare Pavilion in Louisville, Ky. following a brief illness. Mr. Brennan was born on Nov. 22, 1930, in Lincoln, Ill., to the late Thomas Patrick and Florence (Buttell) Brennan and was raised in Springfield, Ill. Mr. Brennan graduated from Cathedral Boys High School in Springfield and earned his Chemical Engineering Degree from Catholic University of America in 1953. After two years of military service, he worked for DuPont and Stauffer Chemical companies before taking a position with Great Lakes Chemical in 1968 where he worked 25 years until his retirement in 1993. He held three patents for chemical processes, two jointly and one individually. Jim retired to Cookeville, Tenn., in 1997. Devoted to his family who he loved dearly, Jim shared with them his strong faith and firmly held personal convictions. His indefatigable work ethic was one of many life-long efforts to nurture and support his children and grandchildren whose milestone events he celebrated with pride and his presence. Jim had a knack for seeing the best in people and was more than generous with time and advice for anyone in need. An avid gardener and inveterate reader, Jim was also a sports enthusiast having been a high school track coach and basketball referee as well as an ardent and life-long Cubs fan. Jim enjoyed traveling, taking cruises in Alaska and Central America as well as visiting Ireland and Italy to explore his heritage and his faith. An active member of his community and parish, his generous spirit, wry sense of humor, and cheerful countenance will be sorely missed by many. Mr. Brennan was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Maryann (nee Meisner) Brennan with whom he raised 10 children. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Thomas (and Mary nee Stephens) and brothers-in-law Joseph and Vincent (and Doris nee Spinner) Meisner. Jim is survived by his dear friend and traveling companion of 15 years, Marianne Gove of N.C.; his brother, Richard (and Jean nee Peyton) of Cailf.; his sister, Sister M. Dominica Brennan OP of Ill.; and his sister-in-law, Joan (nee Sokolik) Meisner of Neb. He is also survived by his 10 children: Therese Brennan of Ky., Raymond and Carina (nee Johansson) Brennan of Calif., David and Deb (nee Bailey) Brennan of Ga., Dennis Brennan of Tenn., Michael and Cecilia (nee Hall) Brennan of Wash., Christopher Brennan of Mich., Gregory and Janet (nee Zink) Brennan of Ariz., Camille Brennan of Ind., Cecelia and Brian McDonnell of Ind., and Stephen Brennan of Cailf. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Brittany Brennan of Ariz, Patrick Brennan of Tenn., Corey Brennan of Ga., Ryan Brennan of Belgium, Blake Brennan of Ariz., Mary Frances Brennan of Mich., Brooke Brennan of Ariz., Kendall Brennan of Tenn., Brigidanne Brennan of Ind., Brianna Brennan of Ariz., Colin Brennan of Tenn., Emily McDonnell of Ind., and Joel Brennan of Wash. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim's name may be made to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish 421 N. Washington Ave., Cookeville, TN 38501; or to the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Ill., Sr. Rose Marie Riley OP, Prioress General, Dominican Sisters of Springfield Illinois, Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 West Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62704; or to Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation, 426 C Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Visitation will be held from 5 – 8 p.m. Sunday, September 1st at Hooper, Huddleston, and Horner Funeral Home with a Rosary at 7 p.m.. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday September 2nd at St. Thomas Aquinas Church with Father Chad Putoff officiating. Graveside services and interment with military honors will be Tuesday, September 3rd at 12 noon at Saint Raymond Catholic Church Cemetrery in Raymond, IL with Father Gerald Bunse officiating.