Jackie Taylor Jenkins, 70, of Bryan, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2012 at his residence. The family will receive guests during a visitation from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, January 16, 2012 at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home in Bryan. Funeral Services celebrating his life will begin at 1 p.m., Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in College Station with Pastor Bruce Wood officiating. Interment will follow at the Bryan City Cemetery.
Jackie was the first child born to Luther and Geneva Jenkins on August 29, 1941 in Stamford, Texas. The rest of his life was spent trying to be first in every aspect of his life. He was an all-state linebacker at Albany High School and continued his football career at Howard Payne University until a knee injury ended his career. While at Albany High School he met and married his first wife, Jackie (yes same name). They had three children and later divorced.
He worked several different jobs while attending high school to help support his family and take care of his four younger siblings because of the ill health of his mother. He still made time for fun and some of his hijinks were legendary among his classmates, who were still his first best friends.
He helped with farming on his Grandfather’s place, worked in a gas station, then proceeded to work in the oilfields. He went to work for the Texas State Highway Department where he was the youngest supervisor of many counties at the age of 24. He, his sons and his brother, Ronnie, worked together in various plumbing and construction jobs. Whatever Ronnie could dream up, Jack and Ronnie could accomplish. He was a Master Plumber.
He went back to school and started into the airline business in later years. He started with Braniff until they went bankrupt, then he went to American Airlines. He rose to management level in many different sections of the airlines and was a troubleshooter for struggling airports. He was also on the American Airlines Care Team and was on the first plane that left the ground immediately after 9/11. He was in New York for 6 weeks helping families of victims. He was a supervisor in the engine maintenance department when he retired in 2008. He was highly respected as a tough, fair manager.
During all of his life his passion was golf and he has many golfing friends from all different sections of his life. He was a member of Pecan Lakes Golf Club in Navasota. He was also most proud to be a member of Aldersgate Methodist Church but also attended Central Baptist Church Sunday School classes.
He had lived in Bryan several different times starting in 1989. He moved back to Bryan when he retired and married Norma Hickman-Jenkins on July 12, 2008. They had an amazing 3-1/2 years together. He lived for his family and his God. He was extremely close to all three of his children and would do anything to embarrass them on outings – which were many! He was a most caring and loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband and friend. He was a caretaker and took care of all of us and spoiled us. He was such a funny, witty man. Our lives will me much dimmer without the light of his humor and love.
He was preceded in death by his brothers Ronnie and Raymond Jenkins, and by his parents.
Survivors include his loving wife, Norma Hickman-Jenkins, of Bryan; sons, Lindsey Jenkins, of Bryan, Mitch Jenkins and wife Tammy, of Arlington; daughter, Kristi Liebengood and husband Lonnie, of Bryan; brother, Ray Jenkins; sister, Gay Smith, of Haskell, Texas; grandchildren, Mitch Jenkins, Jr., Lauren Borde, Trena Holder, Leldon Jenkins, Logan Jenkins, Mark Jenkins, Jennifer Liebengood, Jake Liebengood, Lindsey Liebengood; 8 great-grandchildren; step-sons, ColeHickman, Kit Hickman and wife Brenda, Craig Hickman and wife Branda; step-grandchildren, Allen Hickman, J.R. Hickman, Christy Hickman Makohon, Nancy Hickman Commender, Brandy Hickman Walters, Dakota Hickman, Lauren Hickman, Sierra Hickman, Kutter Shelnutt, Brodee Shelnutt; and 8 step-great-grandchildren.
For those who desire, memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice Brazos Valley or Aldersgate United Methodist Church in College Station.