Richard B. Jenks

Richard Bruce Jenks, 73, passed away peacefully at home on June 17, 2025, following a six-year battle with stage IV colorectal cancer.  True to his nature, Richard defied all odds of his initial prognosis and showed his strong will to the very end.  He will be remembered as a loving husband, father (aka “not-the-mom”), brother, grandfather, uncle, and friend.  He is survived by his wife of 48 years Linell Jenks (nee: Krepsky); their six children: Eric (Stacey), Teri (Chris), Meredith (Phil), Kyle (Melanie), Ian, and Emily (Kellen); 8 grandkids:  Harlow, Eli, London, Sloane, Linden, Abbey, Ensley, and Ian, with the 9th due in August; brother Alvin (Vicki); and many extended family members and dear friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Henrietta Jenks. 

Born in Detroit, Michigan on May 29, 1952, he was a lifelong resident of Dearborn and grew up in the Ford Foundation.  He spent his early years learning from his older brother Al, who he looked up to in all ways (except literally).  He graduated from Edsel Ford High School, Class of 1970, and Michigan State University, Class of 1974.  At MSU, he worked as a resident assistant at Bailey Hall in Brody Complex and met his future wife, Linell. Richard graduated from Wayne State Law School in 1977 and worked at Lacey & Jones, LLP before managing his own workmans’ compensation practice for over 35 years.  He often referred to these as the “good old days” and cherished the dear friends and colleagues he met along the way.  He ended his career at Conklin Benham, P.C. and retired in 2022 after working through many, many chemotherapy treatments. Richard loved his legal work, but always said the most important job he had was raising and educating his six kids.  He was a firm believer in the importance of education—a concept he inherited from his own parents.  He passed this ideal on to his children and put all six of them through Michigan State University.

Richard developed a love of sports at a young age.  The lessons he learned as an avid athlete and fierce competitor guided him through his entire life. He especially excelled at baseball and basketball, and was a member of the freshman basketball team at Michigan State University. He was a staple in the King Boring softball leagues and won several recreational titles. Richard later became involved in youth sports and helped start Dearborn Baseball. He coached all three of his sons’ travel baseball teams and devoted 30 years of his life to the organization, which led to his induction into the Dearborn Sports Hall of Fame in 2023. Many days and nights were spent supporting his kids and grandkids at their sporting events—always sitting in the farthest corner from the field, court, pitch, or pool. He was also a lifelong fan of Detroit and Michigan State sports teams, even when they didn’t make it easy.

Richard loved the time he spent at his family cottage on Harsens Island, which was one of his favorite places on Earth.  He was a lifelong learner and educated himself on many subjects, especially history.  He lived a selfless life and his generosity was felt by many.  On Sundays you could find him in the last row of the balcony at First United Methodist Church in Dearborn. Although he was a quiet man, his large presence was always felt. He knew just what to say and his words of wisdom will be missed. His favorite motto was “this too shall pass,” which he applied throughout his life.  

For over 40 years, Richard spent most Thursday nights with his friends at various bars around the city talking about sports, life, and everything in between.  As a tribute to this tradition, a celebration of life will be held at the Dearborn location of the Howe Peterson Funeral Home located at 22546 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, Michigan, on Thursday, June 26 from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M., with a sharing of memories around 6:30 P.M.. The family will have a private burial service.  In lieu of flowers, please get your routine screenings, hug your family, have a beer with friends, read a book, support local youth sports, and take a moment to enjoy life because “this too shall pass.” 

If you would like to make a donation in Richard’s honor, the family suggests supporting Dearborn Baseball:  https://www.dearbornbaseball.org/donate