James Jenkins

James Phillip Jenkins

1937 - 2025

Jim passed away on January 20, 2025, at Mountainview Hospital in Las Vegas, NV from complications arising after open-heart surgery. Jim was born July 21,1937 in Racine, Wisconsin to Henry E. Jenkins and Stacia C. Jenkins (Ruszczyk).

Growing up in Racine Jim's early years were spent in the Boy Scouts Drum & Bugle Corp where he spent summers traveling to city parades all over the country. Jim graduated from Washington Park High School in Racine in 1955 and joined the Air Force that same year. His Basic Training began at Lackland AFB, TX with his military career spanning the next 24 years taking him to England, South Dakota, Arizona, Germany, Michigan, Turkey, Kansas, with military retirement at Vandenberg AFB, CA in 1979. Jim was awarded multiple Good Conduct Medals, Outstanding Unit Awards, Commendation Medals, a Longevity Award, and a Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Award. He continued his career at Vandenberg with Martin Marietta until full retirement in 1996.

In 2013 Jim met Emilie "Em" Jenkins (Pimley) and they married in Las Vegas that same year. Jim and Em moved from Lompoc in 2020 to Fort Mohave, AZ where they purchased a new home, enjoying the quiet life, hot weather and serenity of the Colorado River. Laughlin was close and Jim enjoyed the many casinos along the riverfront.

Jim was an avid bowler from a young age, he took after his mother as they both bowled into their senior years. He not only liked to bowl he loved to coach, Jim was involved in youth bowling, youth ice hockey, Babe Ruth baseball, and youth softball. His participation years back in the Boy Scout Drum & Bugle Corp influenced his nephew Steven Jenkins in such a way that Steven joined the Kilts Organization. Although the Boy Scouts and Kilties were rivals going back decades Jim enjoyed this loving rivalrous bond formed with his nephew throughout the years.

There was also his love of all animals, with the Basset Hound being his favorite breed of dog. He had many of them through the years and loved each one dearly.

Jim's many international locations during his career enabled him to bring family and friends to many landmarks around the world as he was thrilled to include everyone that could join in the family's worldly travels. Great memories with family and friends were created.

While stationed overseas in England he met and in 1958 married Judith "Judy" Jenkins (Eacott). Jim and Judy had two children and celebrated 53 years of marriage prior to Judys passing. Jim is preceded in death by his wife Judy Jenkins (2011), son Jeremy Jenkins (2024), brother Edward "Bud" Jenkins (2006), sister Julie Stoebe (1993), and parents Stacia (1986) and Henry Jenkins (1946).

Jim is survived by his wife Em Jenkins, daughter Jocelyn Carl (David), grandchildren Joshua Jenkins, Kelsey Steele (Jason), Breanne Talbot (Corey) and great grandson Caiden Talbot.

Arrangements are through Starbuck Lind Mortuary. A service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery. A reception at the Hilton Garden Inn Lompoc, 1201 N H Street, will immediately follow the service.