Missouri Press Association
Serving Missouri Newspapers Since 1867
Steve Jennings, 70, of Kirkwood died July 25, 2026, at his home.
A Crystal City native, Jennings was a longtime journalist and advocate for those with disabilities. He worked for several local newspapers, including Jefferson County Publications, the Courier-Journal and Leader Publications, covering a wide variety of local sports and doing many human-interest stories.
While Jennings’ 50-year battle with Friedreich’s ataxia, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, affected his mobility, it did nothing to limit his natural journalistic curiosity or dim his natural gift for storytelling. After the newspaper he was working at sold to new ownership, Jennings enrolled in the Missouri School of Journalism to formalize his training.
At Mizzou, he met his future wife, Ana Leitzlar, and together they became outspoken proponents in the disability rights community, lobbying when needed and protesting when necessary.
In addition to his wife, Ana, he is survived by a brother, James; two sisters, Susan and Julie; several more extended family, including many nieces and nephews; and countless more friends throughout Missouri.
