Fayetteville architect, UA grad Maurice Jennings dies at 68

Maurice Jennings of Fayetteville, a noted architect, died Oct. 10 at Washington Regional Hospice because of cancer. He was 68.

Jennings was a partner with his son at the Fayetteville firm Maurice Jennings + Walter Jennings Architects PLLC. The partnership was formed in 2011.

According to his obituary, Jennings worked on several notable projects in the region during his career, including Thorncrown Chapel (Eureka Springs), the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel (Bella Vista) and Hunt Chapel (Rogers).

Jennings graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1973 with an architecture degree, then went to work for famed architect E. Fay Jones, a relationship lasting the next 25 years.

In 1976, Jennings was the first associate in Fay Jones & Associates Architects, and became Jones’ only partner in Fay Jones + Maurice Jennings Architects in 1986. The partnership became Maurice Jennings + David McKee Architects in 1998 when Jones retired, and the firm became Maurice Jennings Architects in 2006.

“We at the firm are saddened by Maurice’s death, but we are grateful for having him as mentor and role model,” Walter Jennings said in a statement. “Maurice loved to create and encouraged those around him to live and work to their potential. Our memories of him will incite our own lives and work.”

Jennings, according to his obituary, was a native of Heber Springs, and was a member of the Arkansas National Guard from 1968 to 1972.

A service through Nelson-Berna Funeral Home of Fayetteville will take place Oct. 28 at Hunt Chapel in Rogers.