John Jenkins Obituary

GASTONIA - John E. Jenkins passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday morning on Oct. 3, 2015.

He was a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather, and servant.

John was born on Feb. 14, 1925, in Gastonia to the late Edgar L. and Ethel Barker Jenkins. He attended Gastonia schools and was a graduate of Frank L. Ashley High School. He left the family farm and served in the US Army 554 Combat Engineers Division during World War II. Serving as a mine detection specialist in both Africa and Italy, he received three bronze battle stars and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. With the knowledge and training he had received in the military, he came back home to Gastonia, and in 1948 established John E. Jenkins, Inc. a local grading and paving contracting firm that he was still active in daily. John loved being with his family, he never missed a birthday celebration or gathering, and especially enjoyed the annual family beach trip. A lifelong member of Bradley Memorial United Methodist Church, John enjoyed serving the church that he loved in many various capacities and was a member of the Men's Bible Class. He was also a member of the 24 Club.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Nell Faulkner Jenkins, brothers, Donald Jenkins; sisters, Lib Heavner, Gladys Wilson, Mildred Kuykendall, Mary Austin, Margaret Black, and Frances Allen; and son-in-law David Q. Bumgardner.

Survivors include two daughters and a son-in-law, Joy Bumgardner of Gastonia, Pam and Jim Dalpiaz of Gastonia; brothers and sisters-in-law, Roland Jenkins of Gastonia, Reggie and Mary Ellen Jenkins of Stanley, and Kenneth and Barbara Jenkins of Gastonia; grandchildren, Kyle and Allsion Bumgardner of Charlotte, Wes & Janelle Bumgardner of Belmont, Erika and Johnathan Lowery of Gastonia, Jordan Dalpiaz of Cramerton,and Carolina Dalpiaz of Charlotte; great-grandchildren, Ella, Kate, and Max Bumgardner of Charlotte, Ava, Morgan and Sloane Bumgardner of Belmont, and Jacob & Jayne Lowery of Gas-tonia.

Funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Debra Short at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, in the sanctuary of Bradley Memorial United Methodist Church. Entombment with military honors rendered by the Gas-ton County Honor Guard follow at Westview Gardens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015, at McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia.

Memorials may be made to Bradley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1425 W. Franklin Blvd. Gas-tonia NC 28052.

Condolence messages may be read and sent online at www.mcleanfuneral.com.

McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is in charge of arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Gaston Gazette on Oct. 6, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for John Jenkins

9 Entries

Janice Huber

November 11, 2015

John was an amazing man and one I will never forget. He came up to SD to buy a trailer and what he found was life time friends. John told us about how he first got into the business. He went to the bank after the war and asked for a loan. They asked if he had any collateral, he told them no but he knew how to operate machinery and that's what he wanted to do. The rest is history there. He told us stories about being in the War and what he had experienced there...by the end of his stories we were all in tears. He would call me from time-to-time to just catch up. He would always laugh about the time a big buck deer jumped up in front of him while he was hunting pheasants. He loved and talked about his family a lot. He was very proud of all of you.
We were able to go walking with John and Nell up the King's Mountain once when we stopped in. I hope you take the time to take that hike up there.
Don and I will miss our friend!

Don & Janice Huber

November 11, 2015

John was a good friend and was always a pleasure to visit with. My family will miss him greatly.
The family is in our prayers.

Superior Powder Coating, LLC

November 3, 2015

Prayers for the family from the Fields and Callahan families.

Carol K. Garrison

October 7, 2015

Sorry to hear about your dad. You are in my prayers.

October 6, 2015

Prayers for all the family of John Jenkins at this time. Emma Shuler

Laura Silver

October 6, 2015

The employees and staff at Custom Marking & Printing send our condolences to the family and staff at John E. Jenkins

October 6, 2015

John, you will be missed. prayers to your family. - the ladies at the permit office.

October 6, 2015

I am so sorry for your loss. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing him but one can read the obit and see what a wonderful man he IS. I am sure to meet him on the other side. God bless you.

October 6, 2015

I am so sorry for your loss. May the God of comfort (Psalms 83:18) give you the needed strength during this difficult time.

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