Richard Lee Jenkins

On Thursday, 8 Dec 2022, Richard “Dick” Jenkins, recently of Canton, GA, left this earth and went home to be with his Lord and Savior. He passed away in his sleep with his daughter by his side and the voices of his family from recorded messages of love and prayers.

Dick was born in El Paso, TX to Rex and Pearl Jenkins. The oldest of four, he had two sisters, Eunice and Wanda, and one brother, Raymond. He graduated in 1955 from Springlake-Earth High School and then moved to Odessa, TX where he would live for the next 45 years. During his time in Odessa, he worked as an insurance agent.

Richard was drafted into the United States Army in September 1956. Serving 2 years until August 1958, he was discharged to the Army Reserve and in 1961, was called back into service for brief time. Private First Class Richard Jenkins was subsequently released from active duty in October of 1961 and received an Honorable Discharge in August of 1962.

After moving back to Odessa in 1958, Dick met Gerri, his wife for 61 years. They were married in November of 1961. Dick and Gerri had three children – Mike, Marc, and Lorie. From these three children, Dick and Gerri became the grandparents to seven grandchildren.

The only thing Dick and Gerri loved more than their family was their God and their savior Jesus Christ. They served the Lord together until his death. Dick was a deacon in First Baptist Church of Odessa until they moved to Richardson, TX where he became a deacon serving at Hunters Glen Baptist church. Later, they moved to Georgetown, TX, where Dick also served as a deacon at Crestview Baptist Church.

Richard believed deeply in the Great Commission and therefore the mission of the church. He felt strongly he was called to support missions and missionaries. He served as the leader of the Royal Ambassadors at First Baptist, Odessa. He was integral in the development of the Disaster Relief program of Texas Baptist Men. He held the office of Vice President for Royal Ambassadors for Baptist General Convention of Texas. Everyone that knew Dick Jenkins would tell you that his love for the Lord and his desire that others know the joy of being a child of God through a personal relationship with Jesus was evident in every aspect of his life. Dick’s commitment to his Lord was demonstrated as a life of service to others.

Richard was preceded in death by his father, Rex Jenkins, his mother, Pearl Jenkins, his brother, Raymond Jenkins, and his sister, Eunice Adams. He is survived by his wife, Gerri Jenkins; his three children and their spouses and children, Mike, Karen, Emily, and Matthew Jenkins; Marc, Denise, Andrew, and Sloan Jenkins; Lorie, Shelby, Alex, Blake, and Nolan Lasater; and his sister Wanda Matthews.

At this time, there will not be a memorial service held. The family will have a private memorial in the spring of 2023 in the Sacramento Mountains in New Mexico in a location that was very near and dear to the hearts of Dick and Gerri and their family

The Jenkins’ family knows there are a large number of people who loved their father and have been positively impacted throughout his life. We would ask that, in lieu of flowers and cards, if you wish to express your condolences and love for Dick, please make a donation to the International Mission Board ( https://www.imb.org/campaign/dick-jenkins-memorial/ ).