1928
John
2016
John L. Jenkins
November 29, 1928 — October 12, 2016
John L. Jenkins, Major (Ret), U.S Marine Corps, 87, passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness on October 12, 2016.
He was born in Austin, TX on November 29, 1928 to Edwin Jenkins and Elrena Twidwell Jenkins. He was raised by his grandparents on a truck farm in Henly, TX, where he learned a love and appreciation for growing things. At 14, he moved to Austin, TX to attend Austin High School. He worked at a stationary store after high school and played baseball for the Cincinnati Reds farm team. He broke his leg sliding into third base and was hospitalized, where he met and later married his nurse, Rose Marie Evers. They had two children, John Kenneth (Bud) and Joni Marie.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps (USMC) Reserves in 1946 and was activated two years later. He began his computer career in the Marines, where he was one of six selected to attend the first USMC programing school. He served his country as a Marine for 25 years, working his way from Enlisted to Officer (Mustang) and retiring as a Major in 1972. After retiring from the Marine Corps, John worked at the University of New Mexico (UNM) in the Computing Center, where he met Clarice Wesley. John and Clarice married on October 30, 1976, and moved to Columbia, Missouri, where he worked at the University of Missouri. In 1983, they moved back to Albuquerque, where John continued his career in computing at UNM. He retired in 1994. In 1990, while at UNM, he was an instrumental part of the creation of the New Mexico High School Super Computer Challenge. After retiring from UNM, he continued his work for the Challenge at New Mexico Technet (Oso Grande) as Coordinator until 1997.
After retirement, John and Clarice traveled extensively visiting several European countries and Latin America. His many hobbies included volunteering for the Master Gardener program, where he filled numerous positions, including Master Gardener Coordinator. He also entered his amazing homegrown produce at the New Mexico State Fair, where he won countless ribbons each year and judged junior gardeners. John was a member and former President of the Albuquerque chapter of the Military Officer Association of America (MOAA). He was also a very involved member of the USMC Mustang Association, serving as Treasurer for several years and hosted the annual Muster in Albuquerque, NM in 2009.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Margaret Kaufman. He is survived by his wife, Clarice; children, Bud Jenkins and Sherri Duchene, Joni Farr and husband Vernon Zuercher, Teri and husband Mick Coker and Rob and wife Dee Paoletti; grandchildren, Tiffany Streett and Brian Blumm, Jesse and husband David Pedersen, Melissa Clarice and husband Glenn Throne, Sarah and husband Joe Lovette, Austin and wife Lauren Jenkins, Clinton Coker and Jerremias (PJ) Vega; great-grandson, Mak Lopez, and a large extended family. He will be deeply missed by all of his friends and family.
A Memorial celebrating his life will be held Tuesday, October 18, 2106 at 10:30 a.m. at FRENCH - Westside. Interment will follow at 2:15 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, www.nmcrs.org.
FRENCH - Westside
9300 Golf Course Rd NW
505-897-0300
He was born in Austin, TX on November 29, 1928 to Edwin Jenkins and Elrena Twidwell Jenkins. He was raised by his grandparents on a truck farm in Henly, TX, where he learned a love and appreciation for growing things. At 14, he moved to Austin, TX to attend Austin High School. He worked at a stationary store after high school and played baseball for the Cincinnati Reds farm team. He broke his leg sliding into third base and was hospitalized, where he met and later married his nurse, Rose Marie Evers. They had two children, John Kenneth (Bud) and Joni Marie.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps (USMC) Reserves in 1946 and was activated two years later. He began his computer career in the Marines, where he was one of six selected to attend the first USMC programing school. He served his country as a Marine for 25 years, working his way from Enlisted to Officer (Mustang) and retiring as a Major in 1972. After retiring from the Marine Corps, John worked at the University of New Mexico (UNM) in the Computing Center, where he met Clarice Wesley. John and Clarice married on October 30, 1976, and moved to Columbia, Missouri, where he worked at the University of Missouri. In 1983, they moved back to Albuquerque, where John continued his career in computing at UNM. He retired in 1994. In 1990, while at UNM, he was an instrumental part of the creation of the New Mexico High School Super Computer Challenge. After retiring from UNM, he continued his work for the Challenge at New Mexico Technet (Oso Grande) as Coordinator until 1997.
After retirement, John and Clarice traveled extensively visiting several European countries and Latin America. His many hobbies included volunteering for the Master Gardener program, where he filled numerous positions, including Master Gardener Coordinator. He also entered his amazing homegrown produce at the New Mexico State Fair, where he won countless ribbons each year and judged junior gardeners. John was a member and former President of the Albuquerque chapter of the Military Officer Association of America (MOAA). He was also a very involved member of the USMC Mustang Association, serving as Treasurer for several years and hosted the annual Muster in Albuquerque, NM in 2009.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Margaret Kaufman. He is survived by his wife, Clarice; children, Bud Jenkins and Sherri Duchene, Joni Farr and husband Vernon Zuercher, Teri and husband Mick Coker and Rob and wife Dee Paoletti; grandchildren, Tiffany Streett and Brian Blumm, Jesse and husband David Pedersen, Melissa Clarice and husband Glenn Throne, Sarah and husband Joe Lovette, Austin and wife Lauren Jenkins, Clinton Coker and Jerremias (PJ) Vega; great-grandson, Mak Lopez, and a large extended family. He will be deeply missed by all of his friends and family.
A Memorial celebrating his life will be held Tuesday, October 18, 2106 at 10:30 a.m. at FRENCH - Westside. Interment will follow at 2:15 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, www.nmcrs.org.
FRENCH - Westside
9300 Golf Course Rd NW
505-897-0300
Service Details
Tuesday, October 18th, 2016, 10:30am, FRENCH - Westside
Interment Details
Santa Fe National Cemetery
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