Donald Jenkins

Donald Eugene “Don” Jenkins of Columbia, Maryland, died July 1, 2016 at Howard County General Hospital after suffering a stroke. A private memorial will be held in Maryland on July 16th at 1:30 PM. Don was born July 29, 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri, “same year Mickey Mouse was born” (he would tell you) to parents Cecil Lyle Jenkins & Carrie Agnes (nee Donahue). He married Dorothy Lee “Dot” Schneider December 31, 1949. Don is survived by four of his children and their spouses: Cecilia (Frank) Moran; John (Amy) Jenkins; Jennifer Somerville (Kenneth Evans); & Amy (David) Nard. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, his sister Patricia Phinney and life companion Mary Dessent, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Don is pre-deceased by his wife Dorothy, his son Donald Jr., his grandson Kevin, and his sister Shirley. A native of Independence, Missouri, Don moved with his family to Washington D.C. when he was a boy. He met his future wife, Dot, in Edgewater, Maryland along the romantic shores of the South River. They married and resided in Maryland, where they raised their family. Don was a natural mathematical problem solver which served him well in his career as an Analyst with NSA from 1947 to 1983. Proud of his Welsh-Irish roots, Don extensively researched his family’s ancestry and composed several, some quite poignant, historical documents that tell stories such as his father’s experiences as a soldier in WWI and the migration and settlement of his early ancestors in the U.S. Don was a loving husband, father, grandfather & great-grandfather and enjoyed spending time with his family in Maryland; his extended family in Independence, Missouri; and in recent years, with his life companion Mary. Don and Mary had a shared passion for sea cruises and frequently escaped to exotic destinations such as Alaska, Prince Edward Isle, and the Caribbean. Don had a zest for life and a zealous fascination of the world and cosmos. He was an adventuresome spirit and enjoyed traveling, astronomy, studying maps and had an affinity to the sea akin to Popeye’s. When you asked Don how he stayed so youthful, he would tell you with a grin, “The 3 B’s – Butter, Bacon & Beer!” Donations in his honor may be made to: TEAM CONNOR TRUST, 26714 E. Bundshu Rd., Buckner, MO 64106.

Donald Jenkins

July 29, 1928 - July 1, 2016