Richard Douglas Jenkins Sr.

Richard Douglas Jenkins Sr. was born at Grant Hospital in Columbus, Ohio on June 23, 1954. He was raised in Columbus by his late parents Esther and Coble Jenkins. He was the second oldest of seven siblings. He has two brothers, Warren and Wayne, and four sisters, Colette, Frances, Roberta and Nancy.

As a child, Richard loved to play football, baseball and bowling. He played the cello in the orchestra at Everett Junior High. His favorite teacher was Mr. Durphy when he was in the 6th grade.

Richard’s drive to work began at the very young age of 13, with a paper route. He also sold papers with his brothers at Ohio State University games and at the Ohio State Fair. He and his brothers helped their father, Coble, cleaning up local businesses at closing time.

Richard attended high school at Central High School in Columbus and graduated in 1972. He continued to play the cello in the orchestra in high school and he was on the football team until he broke his collar bone.

Richard obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in social work from the University of Central Texas. He also held a Master of Science degree in psychology from the University of Central Texas. Richard was a proud member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). In his time as a graduate student, one of his greatest influences was Dr. Danowitz, who had an immense impact on his studies and his desire to excel in his field of study.

Richard was an outgoing, engaging and enthusiastic person. He was the life of every party and would be the first to get up and dance to really get the party started. He practically lived by the adage, “early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” He engaged everyone he encountered in conversation, never shied away from embracing different points of view. He always thought ahead and encouraged others to do the same. It became his mantra of sorts that being early to events, appointments, and engagements was always a good thing.

Some of Richards’s closest friends during his life include, Titus and Belva Simmons, Sherma Clery, Leo Garza, William Wilcox, Reginald and Ursula Goldston, Linda Green, William Perry, Milton and Debbie Gray, Brent Owen, Dave and Maureen Lonnquist, Tom and Bobbie Daul, Lauren Miller, Tabatha Drake, Frankie Hunter and Raphael Pitts.

Richard was twice married, and those marriages produced three children, collectively. He married Sherrie Jenkins, formerly Sherrie Daniels, in Columbus Ohio in 1972. They soon welcomed children Richard Jenkins, Jr. and Nancy Jenkins. In 1978, he married Gundula Jenkins, formerly Gundula Wenzel, in Clarksville, Indiana. While in Alexandria, Virginia, they welcomed their daughter, Fatima. Sherry Daniels Jenkins predeceased Richard.

He has a total of 11 grandchildren; Karissa, Kiara, Kyra, Kaylee, Kayla, Richard III, Michael, Nicholas, Denaya, Richaun and Nasir. He also has 6 great grandchildren.

Richard’s primary occupation was being a Soldier in the United States Army, where he served for 20 years before retiring in 1992 as an E-7. He has been stationed in multiple places, including Fort Knox, Kentucky, Zweibrucken, Landau and Pirmasens Germany, Fort Hood, Texas, and his last station was at the Headquarters of the Department of the Army in Alexandria, Virginia. He achieved several awards including a Legion of Merit, a Good Conduct Medal and his most distinguished award, an Army Soldier’s Medal for heroism.

He became a science teacher, post-retirement, at the Richard Milburn Academy in Killeen, Texas. As an instructor, he went beyond teaching from a book, he brought life lessons to his students. His impact on his former students remained strong, and he was reminded regularly that his words and actions influenced them in many positive ways.

Richard truly enjoyed music. He also enjoyed playing dominoes, bowling, playing chess and playing Uno. He had his own custom bowling ball and shoes to match.

After playing football in high school, he continued his love for sports by watching games on TV. He watched NFL games as well as college football, and especially Ohio State games. Additionally, he loved to watch NBA and WNBA games.

Richard was a proud supporter of the nonprofit organization Boys Town. He continuously contributed to both the Disabled American Veterans charity and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

Richard enjoyed the company of 4-legged friends as well, especially Fatima’s 2 dogs, Papi and Ty Dollar Sign. He loved to spend time with them and give them treats for being good boys. They loved coming over to visit him and took turns fighting for his attention.

Richard passed away suddenly on July 25, 2023 in his home in Killeen, Texas from a pulmonary embolism.

Left to cherish his memory are his three children, Richard Jr, Nancy and Fatima and a host of family and friends.

Visitation was Wednesday, August 9, 2023 from 6 to 8 pm at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home. Funeral service was at 12:30 pm on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home Chapel. Following the service, interment with full military honors occurred at 2 pm in Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.