Charles Cornelius Jenner

April 16, 1917 – November 23, 2015

“Charlie” passed away at the age of 98. He was a pillar of his family and his community. With an unmatched reservoir of infectious enthusiasm and dedication, he was generous, idealistic, and an early advocate for environmentalism and multiculturalism.

Charlie was born to parents Norman Legrand Jenner and Marie Patterson Jenner of Mercer Island, and he lived in the Seattle area his entire life. He attended Broadway High School, the University of Washington, and was a proud founding member of Group Heath. In 1942 he married his wife of 52 years, Marie Brockschmidt, just before departing overseas for World War II. In 1959 he founded Elan Construction Company and helped guide the company for nearly 30 years leaving a legacy of highly skilled, well-paid, union-trained carpenters.

Charlie was an avid volunteer with the downtown Seattle Rotary Club where he channeled his talents into many projects. His favorite was the High Point YMCA Unity Project. In 1999 he received a Washington State Jefferson Award for community leaders due to this extraordinary work. His other volunteer passion was EarthCorps. He served on the board of directors and tirelessly campaigned for the cause of growing diverse, grassroots, environmental leaders for communities in the US and around the world.

Charlie was preceded in death by his wife Marie in 1994, and by his siblings Julian, Norma, Marie, and Myrta. He is survived by his son David (Ellen) Jenner of Seattle; his daughter Joanna Jenner of New York; grandchildren Nancy (Scott) MacCormack of Mercer Island and Norma Jenner of Seattle; great grandchildren Alice and Will MacCormack; nephews Page Jenner, Jim Jenner, Bill Parks, Russell Parks, and Alan Parks and niece Annette Bellamy.

Charlie requested that no formal service be held at his death. Remembrances may be made to the Marie and Charles Jenner Scholarship Fund at the Seattle YMCA, 909 Fourth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. Full obituary at http://funerals.coop/obituaries/charles-cornelius-jenner.html