Frank S. Jenkins

Frank S. Jenkins

April 11, 1925 ~ August 28, 2014

Frank S. Jenkins, a poet and playwright, died on Thursday August 28, 2014 in Los Angeles, California at 89. He was born on

April 11, 1925 in Seattle, WA,

the son of the late Gladys

Shockley and Frank Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins was a respected artist in the Black Arts movement of the '70s. Among his best-known works are the poetry collections

"I Didn't Start Out To Be A Poet", 1977; and material included in the 1982 Emmy award winning PBS documentary "Voices of Our People, In Celebration of Black Poetry". His plays include "Nobody" (1997), and "Driving While Black in Beverly Hills" (2001). He is survived by his partner and wife of over 40 years, actress Lynn Hamilton, and his children Denise S. Jenkins and Frank A Jenkins.

Frank S. Jenkins was born and raised in Seattle. During World War II he quit school to become a Merchant Seaman. At sea reading became a passion. He discovered the works of Langston Hughes and decided to try writing for himself. He wrote 'a suitcase' full of short stories and poems all of which he threw overboard in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

After the war he worked in a succession of jobs in a string of places, settling finally in Seattle as a mail carrier.

The turmoil of 'the terrible sixties' opened his head to

'Black Awareness'. He moved to

California and began writing again.

Selections from his book, 'I Didn't Start Out To Be A Poet', are included in an anthology edited by Ruby Dee. He recently completed a play about the black middle class entitled, 'Last Man Out'.

Sign Frank's on line

Guest Book at www.Legacy.com.