Jason Jenkins

1974 - 2022

Jason Jenkins, a beloved father, husband, friend and extraordinary community leader, passed away on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at the age of 47. Although his years on earth were brief, his impact was vast, deep and lasting, as he lived a life dedicated to serving others and bringing people from all backgrounds together. He was a unifier of people and a champion in the community who lived each day with joy, tenacity and selfless love that made him truly one of a kind. Simply put, Jason was an outstanding human being who made the world a better place.

Jason was a celebrated and accomplished professional, but his greatest joy in life came from his family. He was a devoted husband to Elizabeth and a loving father to Liya, Aiden and Sloane. As driven as he was throughout the community and in his career, nothing mattered more to him than his family. They were the foundation of his life and are the greatest lasting legacy of his love.

He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Elizabeth Jenkins. He is also survived by his daughter, Liya, 12; son, Aiden, 10; daughter, Sloane, 6; mother, Mary Clay; father, C.L. Whittington; brothers Corey Harmon and Anthony Clay; and sisters Dr. Catherine Whittington and Candance Clay.

Jason was born on October 30, 1974 in Houston, Texas. He attended Texas Tech University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism in 1997 and played defensive back on the football team. He went on to have a successful career in the sports profession through media and community relations, but his career was only an avenue for him to do the true work – impacting people's lives for the better.

Jason was a leader.

Jason was a pillar of the South Florida community from the time he moved to the area and joined the Miami Dolphins in 2009. He overhauled the organization's community relations and charitable efforts and made huge strides in making South Florida a better place for people from all walks of life.

There are numerous examples of his leadership, but none more so than his influence in Dolphins Challenge Cancer since its inception in 2010, most notably as the board chairman since 2020. He helped build DCC into the largest fundraiser in the NFL, which has raised more than $53 million for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center to fund life-saving cancer research in South Florida.

During the global pandemic in 2020, Jason led the Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program to help those in need during the tumultuous time. The program donated over 1 million meals to help address food insecurity in the community while also providing resources to local minority-owned restaurants and businesses at a time when the restaurant industry was struggling.

Jason was inclusive of all people.