Tipton Davis Jennings IV

Tipton (Tip) Davis Jennings IV went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, November 4th, surrounded by his family. Mr. Jennings demonstrated throughout his life a devotion to faith, family, friends, colleagues, and animals. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years Priscilla (Pat) Williams Jennings, daughter Elizabeth Bellinger Jennings Aust (Stephen) of Mount Pleasant SC, grandson Brennan Louis Aust (Katie) of Provo Utah, sister Mildred (Lyn) Lynch Jennings Billington (Tom) of Greensboro NC, nephews Edward Davis Billington (Susan) of Greensboro, NC, Randolph Gray Billington (Hilda), of Trenton, NC, sister-in-law Marjorie Mae Williams, of Barnard, VT and his cousins Carole Bryant Coker (Bob) of Taylors, SC, Ernest Douglas Bryant, of Rancho Mirage, CA. He is preceded in death by his parents Tipton Davis Jennings III (Grace) and Ara Bryant Jennings Stewart (Gordon) and Uncle Edward Ireland Rennick Jennings.

Born on October 13, 1932, in Charleston, Mr. Jennings grew up at 25 Tradd Street and attended St. Micheal’s Church. After his parents’ divorce, he moved to Jacksonville, FL. with his mother and sister. He graduated from Fletcher High School in 1950. After graduation he attended University of Miami joining the social fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Majoring in Electrical Engineering, he was elected to Tau Beta Pi and Omicron Delta Kappa. He graduated in 1954 Cum Laude, with a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant United States Air Force (AFROTC) and retired as a Captain. Mr. Jennings was stationed in Alaska where he flew as a “tail gunner” and began cold weather testing of the newly built #7 Boeing B52 bomber.

After he honorably discharged, he attended law school at George Washington University and graduated in 1959. Tip practiced Intellectual Property law in industry for 12 years before entering private practice with Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett and Dunner in 1972. The friends he made while practicing law will live on forever. He represented American, European, and Japanese clients in all Intellectual Property matters including licensing, patent and trademark filings, and litigation. He was an active member and US Officer of FICPI (Federation Internationale Des Conseils En Propriete Intellectuelle) and upon his retirement, became a Member of Honor. Tip loved sports, especially University of Miami football and baseball and the Washington Redskins. He was a member of Washington Golf and Country Club in Arlington, VA.

In 2005, Pat and Tip returned to Charleston where they are a member of St. Michael’s Church. In the recent past, Pat and Tip served together as Eucharistic Visitors. Tip was also a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Ft. Sumter Camp, The Carolina Yacht Club, and The Charleston Club.

For those who knew Tip on a more personal level, qualities of dignity and gentility come to mind. He will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and especially his sense of humor.

Visitation will be Wednesday, November 11th, 4:00–6:00 at Stuhr’s, downtown. His funeral will be held on November 12th, 1:00 at St. Michael’s Church, 71 Broad Street. Burial will follow at Magnolia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to St. Michael’s Church.