Jerry Wayne Jenkins

Jerry Wayne Jenkins, 63, of New Castle, Virginia, beloved father, grandfather, cousin and friend, passed away Friday, June 19, 2009 at Kindred Hospital, Greensboro, N.C. Jerry's valiant fight for recovery began after he sustained multiple injuries suffered in an automobile accident on March 12, 2009 in Craig County, Virginia. He is preceded in death by his father, Bennett Jenkins, his mother Lottie Simmons Jenkins and his "second mother", Dorothy (Dot) Throckmartin. He is survived by his daughters, Angela Dean and Christine Bennett and husband Robin; his granddaughters, Kassondra and Alixandra Dean; his cousin, whom he loved as his sister, Brenda Throckmartin Conner and husband Bob; his cousin, Mike Jenkins and wife Rose; special "sons" Mike Hudson and Dennis Schoonover; special friends, Al Baughman, Herbie Blackwood, Harvey Bulaski, Alvin Gillespie, Jack Jackson, Ray Miller, and Ron Turner; other cousins and many other loving friends too numerous to name. Born August 26, 1945 in Roanoke, Virginia, Jerry was a graduate of William Fleming High School. Jerry was an avid sportsman and conservationist. He loved to compete in shooting matches of any kind and won countless trophies and awards for his expert marksmanship, but he was happiest when he was teaching others (especially his family and friends) how to master the art of safe gun handling and wildlife management. He loved to hunt and taught many others hunting skills which will be passed on to future generations. He was a staunch advocate of the Hunters for the Hungry program. He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and the Roanoke Rifle and Revolver Club where he was instrumental in developing the club's Hunter Education program. In 1995, he was named the Hunter Educator of the Year by the Virginia Wildlife Federation, and attended a banquet in Richmond, Virginia to receive this honor. This recognition was given to him "
For volunteer service to the people of the Roanoke Valley area, as coordinator of Hunter Education, organizing the area's programs and personally providing 1374 people a total of 1410 hours of training. He completed advanced courses, for self-qualification, in Ethics, Wildlife Management, First Aid, Survival, Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, Muzzleloading, Bowhunting and Trapping. Many people in the Roanoke Valley area are better citizens in the woods and fields because of his service to them and to wildlife."
Jerry continued to train people in hunting and gun safety as well as wildlife management and conservation until his untimely death.
Jerry will be greatly missed by his family and friends including those with whom he worked at AKZO Nobel (Reliance Universal) for 40 years. He was loved by many and was a friend to those who met him.
He held a very special place in his heart for his "grandbabies", Kassi and Ali. As he valued the teachings and culture of the Cherokee Nation, he passed along his knowledge to the girls and bestowed upon them his special names. The following were written for him by them and were read to him before his passing Friday afternoon.
You were supposed to come home, but we didn't expect it to be so soon. All your struggles and hard work have finally paid off, you're home. We are glad you have made it home and you are safe with us. No, you did not come home to be with us, you have been taken to another home. You are in the home at which we will join you in the near future. As you are home now, you will kneel before your Prince, your King of Kings, and breathe the fresh air of a new and eternal life. Yes, we will miss you here physically, but we will not worry, for we know you are home. You are safe and with us, embedded like a precious jewel in the rockbeds of our hearts. You will save my spot and you will wait for me to arrive. When I finally have the blessed opportunity to kneel before Our Maker, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and am able to roam the golden streets of Heaven, I will find you. In a beautiful garden, I will find you, with the sun shining as bright as your love, and I will take your hand and as a little girl I will match my step with yours as you lead me through new and beautiful places as you have so many times before.
I love you Granddaddy,
Little Sparrow
"a-ya a-da-ga-ue ne-hi e-ni-si"
("I love you, Grandfather.")
Little Miss Must-Know-Everything
The family would like to thank everyone who prayed, visited Jerry at Carilion-RMH and Kindred Hospital, sent cards, e-mailed, called and otherwise held him in their hearts and prayers during this difficult time. A special thank you is extended to the LifeGuard 10 Crew, Dr. A. Tyler Putnam, II, Dr. Robert Smith, Dr. Allan S. Philp, Dr. Fletcher Matthews, Mary Gilley, R.N., the Neuro-trauma ICU team, 8th floor ICU, 10th floor PCU, and Respiratory staff as well as the wonderful nursing staff/teams at Carilion for their tireless efforts and loving, kind hearts while aiding Jerry toward recovery. Elizabeth, you were his favorite. Jerry was looking forward to coming to see you all again.
Christy, Brenda, and Angela also extend our heartfelt gratitude for the support, love, and continued prayers from their family, friends, co-workers, and employers. Without them, we would not have been able to do for Jerry what he needed from us over the past 15 weeks. Also, gratitude goes to the "Golden Corral Crew", the "Hunter's Den Gang", and the "Mountain Breeze Buds" for being such loyal and supportive friends of Jerry's. Thank you, Al Baughman and the Reverend Dr. Rob Colwell, for making the journey to Greensboro on Friday to be with Jerry and his family and for offering your love and support. Thank you, Mary Green, for traveling to Greensboro to be with Jerry's family as he journeyed to his eternal home. Thank you, Wanda and Jack Jackson, for being with Jerry during his last days.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 beginning at 4 p.m. at Oakey's North Chapel on Peters Creek Road. Thereafter, Jerry's memorial service will begin at 6 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Rob Colwell officiating. Jerry has requested all those attending visitation and/or memorial services dress casually. Camouflage, blaze orange and jeans are acceptable attire; Suits and ties are not. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in his memory to Hunters for the Hungry, P.O. Box 304, Big Island, Virginia, 24526.
And all God's people said, "AMEN!"
Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel and Crematory, 540-362-1237.