John Story Jenks III

Dr. John Story Jenks III

Dr. John Story Jenks III of Keswick, Virginia, died in his sleep early Sunday morning, December 27, 2009.

John was born December 24, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Margaret Mathews Jenks and the late Morton Jenks. He was preceded in death by his son, John Story Jenks IV; and his sister, Constance Jenks Wyatt.

John was the devoted husband of Elizabeth Chardon Harrigan Jenks, the loving father of Elizabeth McPherson Andrews Jenks, Sarah Boykin Jenks, and Stanley Patience Rugumayo. He was the beloved father-in-law of Emiko Rugumayo and grandfather of Joshua and Rachel Rugumayo.

John leaves his beloved mother and two sisters that he loved dearly, Margaret Jenks Heckman and Elizabeth Jenks Carden and their families; and his brother-in-law, Richard Wyatt and children. He also leaves his devoted in-laws Anthony and Elizabeth Harrigan and their children, Anthony Harrigan and his wife, Chase and children, Elliot Harrigan and his wife, Terrell, and children, Mary Harrigan Carr and her husband, Robert, and children.

John always said that the only thing that mattered to him was the love of his extended family and friends and his relationship with the Lord.

John graduated from The Middlesex School, Rollins College and Hahnemann Medical College. He did his residency at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston where he met and married his wife. He then went on to do a fellowship in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism at Albany Medical College. John then took a position at Albany Medical College till the family moved back to the family home in Chesnut Hill, Pennsylvania, where he became Medical Director and Head of the Benjamin Franklin Clinic. In 1994, the family moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, where he served in various capacities with the University of Virginia's Health Services Foundation.

John Jenks lived a life full of both accomplishment and service. His passion for helping others was seen throughout his life; through his medical career and involvement in his community. John's vivacious personality, deep insight into other peoples hearts, close relationship with God, and his sense of humor are all attributes that made him an incredible husband, father, and friend.

The family expresses a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Gordon Morris and his staff for all their love and care.

A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m.Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at Trinity Presbyterian Church. 3101 Fontaine Avenue Extended, Charlottesville, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Covenant School, The John Story Jenks Memorial Scholarship Fund, 175 Hickory Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.