John Jenkins

Cumberland, MD

John Edgar Jenkins, age 70, formerly of Westernport, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2017 after an extended illness. He was born October 25, 1946 in Westernport, MD and was the son of the late Joseph August and Ethel (Brashear) Jenkins. He is also preceded in death by his first wife Vicki Lee Simmons. They divorced in 1988.

He leaves behind his second wife, Nancy, whom he married in 1998. Together the family includes sons, Joe, Joshua (AKA Billy), Jason, Sonny (Cherrie), and daughter Sharon (Justin); as well as 10 grandchildren; He is also survived by his brothers Mike (Joy), Don (Kathy), and sister Joanne, and many nieces and nephews, cousins, as well as extended family and friends.

John graduated Bruce High School, Westernport in 1964 and was a Veteran of the Vietnam Conflict. For many years he served the citizens of Westernport as part of the town crew and would often be seen cleaning one of the parks, the baseball fields, or plowing the streets and roads in the late hours during winter. He also spent many hours helping out around the town on various home improvement projects for others. He eventually earned the Town Crew Supervisor job from which he retired early due to a decline in health.

John and Nancy loved to travel having visited New York, Washington D.C., Vermont, and Florida among their many trips. He was also devoted to driving for the VA and participating in various veteran’s programs in his area. He was deeply patriotic and loved the American Bald Eagle, which he collected in prints and figurines. John devoted his life to helping others, was always happy to lend a hand where he could, and was also a long-time member of the American Legion, Kelly-Mansfield Post 52 Piedmont, WV of which he served in various officer positions during his years there including as post commander. He could also be seen from time to time helping out with American Legion Victory Post 155, Westernport. The Town of Westernport was his home and he wanted to do all he could while he lived there to make it a wonderful place to be.

He recently gave his life back to God and joined the First Church of the Nazarene in Cumberland, MD. He loves his church family and considers them just as close as his immediate family. He is especially fond of his friendship with Juice and Mary Jo who have been constant companions since they first met. The family wishes to thank all those from his church and community who came to visit. He enjoyed those times with people and it helped bring him peace in the end.

The family will greet friends at Boal Funeral Home, Westernport on Wednesday July 19th from 7-9pm and Thursday July 20th from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 21st at 11am at Boal Funeral Home, Westernport.

Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, Cumberland with military honors at the graveside by Vietnam Veterans Chapter #172. In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to American Liver Foundation. “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened” – Dr. Seuss