BOB JENKINS Bobby Stanley Jenkins 83, of Wilmington passed away Wednesday morning August 1, 2018 at the home of his niece Tammy Hostetler in Sneads Ferry, NC. Bob was born in Sneads Ferry on March 29, 1935 the son of the late George Vernon and Ruby Holland Shepard Jenkins. He was also preceded in death by a sister Patricia Ann Flynn, and a niece Cheri Lynn Bean. He went to Dixon School and continued his education to interior design at New York School of Design. He loved Wilmington, if that is not already a given. He has always had a servants heart and really enjoyed helping others. His true passion was for history and to really make an impact on our local community and the very important preservation process of downtown Wilmington and it's history. He thoroughly enjoyed people, was incredibly witty and truly had a soft spot for children. His tour company, Wilmington Adventure Tours was truly gratifying for him and something he took the upmost pride in. He is survived by his caretaker and niece, Tammy R. Hostetler and husband Thomas, formerly of Wilmington and now a longtime resident of Sneads Ferry, and their children, Christoffer Hostetler, Andy Hostetler, and Alexandria Hostetler Schmidheiser and husband Ryan and their son, Landon, nephew Milton Buergey and son Tyler. He is also survived by his younger sister, Meriam Mae Jenkins, her daughters, DeVonda Kaye Thompson and husband Buddy and her daughter Karen Thompson and husband David all of Sneads Ferry. Also surviving is a devoted cousin Michael Moore of Wilmington. A celebration of life service will be held 2:00 PM Sunday August 5, 2018 at St. Jude's Metropolitan Church, 19 N. 26th Street. Pastor John A. McLaughlin will officiate the service. A reception will immediately follow the service where the family will see friends. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to St. Jude's Metropolitan Community Church at TMCFunding.com Please share memories and condolences with the family and view the "VIDEO TRIBUTE", at www.wilmingtoncares.com Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S.41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403. 910.791.9099.

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Published by Wilmington Star-News from Aug. 3 to Aug. 4, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Bob Jenkins

10 Entries

August 8, 2018

I just saw WRAL's (Raleigh) re-airing of Scott Mason's Tarheel Traveler segment with Bob which first aired a number of years ago. What an amazing man he must have been to those who knew him! I wish I could go back in time and take one of his walking tours he used to give. He was a local treasure, that came across loud and clear.

God Bless,
Kevin Porter, Raleigh

Scott Ingram

August 6, 2018

Bob was Downtown Wilmington and never met a stranger. He gave so much to our community and a passion for sharing our fair city's history. I'm almost certain part of his spirit will come back to visit along the riverfront from time to time.

Nickie Yow

August 5, 2018

Bob was a very special part of my life and recovery and he will be truly missed. I hate I was unable to get down to Wilmington today but it was not to be. I have so many fond memories of Bob and I wish I had known he was in Sneads ferry as I went back-and-forth to Wilmington often after we moved here to Jacksonville. When I moved back to Wilmington in the early 1990s is when Bob and I connected. He provided me with so much history of my family that I did not know that I will always be grateful for. He was truly special and one of a kind treasure that can never be replaced. Godspeed Bob until we meet again. Deepest sympathies from myself and my wife Lissette.

Bob Jenkins and Chris Fonvielle in historic downtown Wilmington, 2017

Chris Fonvielle

August 5, 2018

Bob will forever be "Mr. Wilmington," as I called him. Passionate about local history, he helped lead the historic preservation movement in downtown Wilmington. Bob was the perfect mix of encyclopedic knowledge about the history of the Lower Cape Fear, which he loved to share with residents and visitors alike, eccentricity, and flamboyance. He was one of the truly great characters in Wilmington during the past forty years and will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

Jimmy Midgett

August 4, 2018

May our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, welcome you Home with loving arms, wipe the furrows of pain from your brow with His nail-scarred hands and grant to you His eternal peace. May all those who loved you find comfort in the knowledge that you are not dead but merely sleeping in the arms of Jesus. And as they walk down that long, dark Road of Grief into the Light may they find the peace that only comes from knowing Him. Rest in peace Bobby and we will see you again after a while.

Michael Smith

August 4, 2018

Bob, was and will be remembered as a Wilmington treasure. He was a good man. I met Bob in 1979 when I bought a house in the district. I enjoyed and benefited from his friendship over these many years. He will be missed.

Doragene Gurganus

August 4, 2018

Bob, I'll never forget the first time I met you. You had come to hear us sing and you sat down at our table. You kept looking at me, shaking your head saying we're from the same pack of dogs. I had no idea what was going on or what you meant. Later on my father and Aunt Elma told me. Little did I realize, we Were litter mates. From then on I was proud to call you cuz

Anne Russell

August 3, 2018

Picturesque Bob Jenkins filled me in on the unofficial history of Wilmington, some of which I did not publish in my Wilmington A Pictorial History, because only he could tell it.