Richard Lovic Jenkins was born May 26, 1954, to Essex G. and Margaret Jenkins in Los Angeles, CA., and raised in the Pacoima and Lakeview Terrace areas of the San Fernando Valley (CA). With his interest in school fading, Richard pursued his true desire; becoming a soldier. Enlisting in the US Army and serving in the United States and Europe in a supply and logistics capacity, upon discharge, Specialist Jenkins returned home to California, joined the National Guard and started studying electrical engineering and working.
During the late 1980’s, Richard L. (a man of FEW words) simply wanted to be known as Jenkins, and legally changed his name accordingly. With the war in Iraq starting, Specialist Jenkins felt his patriotism calling, re-enlisted in the Army and was sent to Iraq and shortly thereafter, to Afghanistan where he finished up his military service with the 4th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). Now an Army Veteran (Ret.), Staff Sergeant Jenkins, moved to Texas and began working as a journeyman electrician for a major building contractor in the Dallas area (Toyota USA headquarters was his favorite project). Thru friends, Jenkins met Natalie Davis and the couple married November 5, 2017, and her hometown of Marianna, Arkansas, became his residence. Jenkins started working at a casino in Tunica, Mississippi, repairing slot machines and enjoyed the change of scenery and his life being married and a stepfather. World War 2 military hero General Douglas Mac Arthur said words to the effect that “Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away.” On Monday, August 16, 2021, the “old soldier of Natalie’s and Jenkins’ families’ quietly faded away due to cancer. “Jesus Forgives a Man and Heals Him”, (Matt. 9:5, 6). RIP.
Funeral Arrangements: Eternal Light Funeral Home, 13 South Liberty St., Marianna, AR 72360. Friday, August 27th. Phone: 1-870-295-4888. Viewing: 1 to 5 pm; Funeral: 2:30 pm. Bishop Michael Thomas, Officiating.