GREENWOOD
01/20/1931-06/07/2024
It is with great sadness that the family and friends of a wonderful man, Jack Jenkins, announce that he passed on Friday June 7th at the incredible age of 93. Jack was a loving, kind, generous and faithful man to so many. For those who knew Jack, know of the great many and wonderful stories he would sit and tell for hours. For those who have been a part of his life from early childhood to the last few years, we are all better for having known him.
As we reflect on the adventurous life of Jack Jenkins, there are some who knew him as a brother who grew up in a dark and difficult time in our nation’s history. A time Jack would recall often and recount with great clarity, the rough times growing up having to, at such an early age, go out and help provide for the family. One of the many examples that express the character of the man we all know today, began at the innocent age of 6 where he helped provide for a family of 7 children when his father fell on hard times raising his children as a single parent. Jack jumped right in and started shining shoes, set up bowling pins, picked vegetables and left early from school to deliver singing telegrams among many other jobs. For those of us who know Jack from the later years it seems crazy to think of Jack singing telegrams. His abundant stories of growing up in the great depression will be carried and shared with many generations.
After growing up in the tumultuous times of the great depression he soon found himself surrounded by those he knew going off to war in World War II. He would recount how his brother Junior was one that was able to come home as well as others he had known who did not return to the shores of the country they died fighting for. Through that influence, Jack was inspired to join the army, at the young age of 17, thrusting himself into the Army before there was a draft to serve in the foreign land of Korea. Jack served in the Korean war with distinction as he fought for the country he loved then and respected to the day he passed. Serving in the 7th infantry division, provided him with a multitude of stories that would eventually come from the 11 months and 26 days Jack served in Korea, during some of the most dreadful times of combat. He would sit and relive some of the of the times he served in battle in the freezing temperatures with many of his buddies who sadly did not come home or one of which was captured and held for an agonizing 5 years, of which Jack could comment how sad it was to happen to such a nice young man. Jack would recount how good of a shot he was, proven by the achievement of sharp shooter in the Army. He served his country well, and expressed reverent pride for “The greatest country in the world,” as he would say.
After his honorable discharge from service, Jack would become a brick layer and eventually built his own homes. He took great pride in this achievement as this is where he started his family with his late wife Elizabeth, raising a family of seven children. Through those years we have all heard the tales of a busy life with family and business that he would start with success. This is where we see his early upbringing come into play as his dedication to his family would always leave the indelible mark of an honest hard-working man and provider for the family. This motivation led to him starting several companies. The first of which was a to your door pizza place, which he claimed was the “best for miles around.” He then moved into the concrete business as co-owner of Jenkins Brothers Concrete Contractors, and from there into Jack Jenkins Concrete. That business provided for the family and beyond. Although, a very difficult job, he worked it with dedication and excellence. He loved working so much that he worked on his last job sometime around his mid-eighties. So dedicated was he, that he continued to take calls for jobs up until his passing.
For the last 20 years of Jack’s life, he shared many of those meaningful moments with a very special and loving woman, Gloria. They dedicated their life together and built a treasured lasting friendship. Jack welcomed Gloria’s kids and grandkids with open arms as if they were his own. Jack and Gloria would bring fun, laughter, and more stories that we will all treasure for many years.
Finally, some of the most coveted stories ever told were those he enjoyed the most, about his family, all the way to his great-great grandchildren. Jack lived a long and rewarding life and those who had the pleasure of being around him know that he could not sit long before telling some fantastical story or share a picture of one of his newest treasures, his grandchildren. There are too many to list here, but you know who you are, you meant the world to him. Whether he was going to a birthday party, baseball game, sporting event, dance recital, and everything in between he was always excited to see all of you and share in your accomplishments and fun, it truly was the joy of his life.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Lavon, wife Elizabeth, son Steven, and grandson Jeffrey, brothers Edward Jr., Harry and Arthur along with sisters Evelyn and Alice.
Survived by one brother Tom and 6 children, Jack Jr., Robin, Anita, Diane, Dan and Teresa. He had 19 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Through Gloria, he lovingly adopted Stacy, Clay, and Nikki along with their 8 children.
The family is holding a private, full military funeral.
