J. Harry Jeanes

J. Harry Jeanes, BBA '34, passed away Sept. 22. A native Wacoan, Jeanes served 18 years as a Baylor Trustee, including two years as chairman. He was elected Regent Emeritus in 1990.

Jeanes is a former chairman and chief executive officer of First Federal Savings and former director of Westview National Bank in Waco. He and his wife of 58 years, Anna, BA '34, who died in 2007, dedicated their lives to civic and service activities and were longtime supporters of Baylor.

For his long service to the university, Jeanes was previously honored with Baylor's W.R. White Meritorious Service Award and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. He was also the Baylor Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Award recipient in 1999.

Together, the Jeanes have received the Herbert H. Reynolds Award, the James Huckins Medallion, and Baylor's highest honor, the Founders Medallion.

Over the years, the Jeanes have endowed scholarships benefitting multiple areas of the institution, including the School of Music, Hankamer School of Business, men's and women's basketball and Baylor football. They also established an endowment fund for Academic Honors Week. In addition to providing a major gift for the Harry and Anna Jeanes Discovery Center, the centerpiece of the Mayborn Museum Complex, they have supported the McLane Student Life Center, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, the Baylor/Waco Foundation and the Baylor Bear Foundation, to name a few. They have been recognized as members of Baylor's distinguished Old Main Society, Endowed Scholarship Society and 1845 Society.

Jeanes also served as president of the Waco Rotary Club, Waco Junior Chamber of Commerce, Waco Symphony Association, Waco Boys' Club board of directors, Baylor Bear Club and Baylor Business Alumni.

A World War II veteran, the U.S. Army presented Jeanes with a Bronze Star in 2003 for his meritorious service at Iwo Jima.