Virginia Beach- Jack White Fentress, who was 93 years old, passed away peacefully in the presence of his daughter and grandson very early Saturday morning March 13, 2021 at Commonwealth Senior Living at Kings Grant in the care of their staff and Medi Home Health and Hospice. So grateful to them for their loving care. His loving wife Virginia Lee Coley Fentress preceded him in death in June 2017. They had been married for 68 years at that time, as they married in November of 1949 at Rosemont Christian Church. Also preceding him were his mother Roxie Etta White Fentress and father Archie Littleton Fentress of Chesapeake and brothers Elbert Fentress, Clyde Fentress, and Ray Fentress. Jack was a graduate of Portlock High School. His parents originated from Knotts Island. Jack worked for Caparts Market in Portlock for a few years, learning the craft of being a butcher at the early age of 12. Following high school, he joined the Army for 3 and a half years and became a Sargent until his honorable discharge. While in the Army he drove tanks and was an excellent marksman on the range. Ultimately, he ran the mess halls where he also had German prisoners working under him, taught cooking, and also cared for and fed the paratroopers who had unsuccessful landings and had to endure their mouths being wired. He used to talk about standing watch in a tower at the Portlock Fire Department looking for any approaching German planes during WWll for about a year. He worked for Texas Oil Company. He helped build the parsonage for Portlock United Methodist Church which happened to be next door to the family home. As a master carpenter, he went to work at Atlantic Yacht Basin in Great Bridge, on the ICW, Chesapeake, VA where he managed the Carpenter shop. There he soon became the yards General Manager and later also VP. He retired from the yard after approx. 33+ years and continued to consult for another 5. He dearly loved the boat yard and all the people that worked there. He considered them all family and talked of them right up to his passing. He loved all the customers who quickly became and remained friends with him and his family to this day. He and Virginia never hesitated to open the doors of their home and to care for customers of the yard who needed help or had become sick or injured. Jack and Virginia were the ultimate caregivers. Jack was a devoted and loving husband to Virginia. He loved bringing her flowers and other gifts, which he would do often. He loved listening to her play the piano and sing. Jack had a huge garden in the backyard and grew everything. He was also an avid fisherman and absolutely loved being on the water. Jack and Virginia had a second home in Cape Hatteras for many years and were long time members of the Hatteras Marlin Club. He was also very gracious in sharing his catches. He loved to feed people. All were welcomed at their table. The more the merrier. He was very generous and loved caring for people and helped anyone who needed it. He had a great sense of humor and was quite the practical joker. He and Virginia loved to go out dancing and listen to music with friends. He knew the importance of vacationing and he ensured the family took many great trips over the years. He was a very happy person and fun to be around. He participated in anything and everything his daughters were involved in. He and Virginia were very present parents. He was very kind, a real gentleman and a gentle person. He loved children, loved animals, especially his new best friend the family Labrador, Mason and a cat named Lulu. He was quick to offer a compliment to anyone or words of encouragement. He took pride in how he treated people and treated all people with care and respect. He loved teaching all kinds of skills, a great mentor. He loved music and was always looking for someone to play his favorite song “Rutabaga I Love You” (and no, it does not exist), however he did in fact love Rutabagas. He later attended Lynnhaven Colony Congregational Church in VA Beach with his family for as long as he was able. He genuinely loved and enjoyed being there. Jack made a practice of saying to anyone he met, “I Love You” and always offering an outreached hand and a smile. One of the last comments he made before passing was “I HAVE LIVED A VERY GOOD LIFE”â?¦.and he certainly did. Jack leaves behind two daughters, Terry Lee Fentress Connelly, son-in-Law Timothy M Connelly, grandson Jack ‘Tyler’ Kruger (girlfriend Kenzie Goodwin) of VA Beach, VA, and Toni Ferguson and two granddaughters, Hailey and Holly Ferguson of VA Beach, VA A private (due to Covid) Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Donations in Jack’s name may be made to Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad (OPVRS.com) or plant a tree and please share any memory here on Simply Cremation's website. www.SimplyCremationOnline.com