Robert Jenkins

Robert Burton Jenkins, 108, passed away May 17, 2021 at Heather Glen Assisted Living Care in Arden, NC where he had lived for the past one and one-half years.  Prior to that he had lived with his son, Robert and daughter-in-law, Sharon in their mountain home in Brevard, NC

Mr. Jenkins was born July 30, 1912 on a farm near Ames, Iowa.  Parents were James William Jenkins and Mayme Wilson Jenkins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, life-time companion and helpmate of 77 years, Helen Block Jenkins, his daughter, Kathleen Clarke and his sister, Mabel E. Kitchen.

He was in the first class of Jordan Consolidated School in Jordan, Iowa.  Because of construction delay, the first day of school was November 11, 1918, which is well-known as Armistice Day, and the end of World War I.  He graduated in 1930 Valedictorian of his class. He attended Iowa State University where he graduated in 1935 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.  In later years, he graduated from Harvard University, Boston, Mass. in their Advance Management program.

During his working career he and his family lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Binghamton, NY, Waverly, Iowa and Jacksonville, FL.

In every location, he and Helen were active in their church and the community.  In Jacksonville, where they lived the longest, he and Helen were members of South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon, an Elder, Chairman of the Trustees and a member of the church’s golf team. He was a member of the Men’s Garden Club of Jacksonville and a 32nd Degree Mason Scottish Rite, Morocco Shrine Temple, William B. Barnett Lodge 187, Deerwood Golf & Country Club and The Ponte Vedra Club.

Survivors include his son, Robert Wilson Jenkins and wife, Sharon of Brevard; granddaughter Heather Clarke Slocum (Brian) of Highpoint, NC; grandson, Robert T. Clarke of Charleston, SC and grandson, Robert James Morgan Jenkins (Elizabeth) of Orange City, FL and great-grandchildren, Jack Slocum, Emily, Riley, Zoey and Sayge Jenkins, nieces Jean Kitchen Duffy (Steve) and Joyce Kitchen Bimby of Iowa and nephew William Dieterich of Bradenton, FL. In addition, he leaves step-grandchildren, W. Todd Oxley (Laura) of Phoenix, AZ, William P. Oxley, Jr. of Memphis, TN and Shawn Walker of Olive Branch, MS and their combined nine step-great grandchildren.

A Memorial service will be held Saturday, June 5, 2021 at St. Philips Episcopal Church beginning with a reception at 1 pm in Miller Hall hosted by the Episcopal Church Women and services at 2 pm in the sanctuary. Following the service, a private inurnment will be held at St. Paul’s In the Valley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.

To leave a condolence or memory for the family for Robert Jenkins, please visit "Tributes" at www.moore-fh.com

Moore-Blanchard Funerals & Cremations is honored to serve the family.