Charles Jenkins

Hamlin-Charles Dale Jenkins, 80, passed away September 20, 2020.  Service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 24, 2020, at the Hamlin Church of Christ, under the direction of Adams-Foster-Ray Funeral Home in Hamlin.  Burial will follow in the Hamlin Memorial Cemetery.

Charles Dale Jenkins was born June 12, 1940 in McCamey, Texas to Chester and Pauline (Gabriel) Jenkins.  Charles graduated from Hamlin High School in 1958, where he excelled in all sports but would be  the first to admit he didn’t try so much in his studies.  Charles went on to Hardin Simmons for a time until he decided to join the Navy.  He served in the MSO430 USS DIRECT LITTLE CREEK VIRGINIA BY NORFOLK

1962-1968

1963-1965 active duty.

Charles went to work  for General Crude in 1969 who sold to Mobile Oil, where Charles retired in 1994.   Charles took pride in his job and was a hard worker, rarely missing a day of work and reluctantly taking mandatory vacations which his family will tell you were used for projects around the house.  The family fondly remembers the time they finally talked him into taking a “real vacation”, and they went to Lake Proctor with the Buske’s.  They had a great time and Charles got to show of his water skiing skills.  The good vibes promptly ended when they returned home to find the hot water heater had had a leak and ruined the carpet in the house.   As you can imagine, Charles sternly explained that’s why you don’t go on vacation because of things like this.

Charles loved the Lord and his family.   He married Elaine (Sanders) Jenkins on April 5th, 1974 and stepped into the role of “dad” to then 4 year old Jennifer Hope.  Charles and Elaine had Charles Dale Jenkins Jr in February of the following year and his family was complete.  Charles and his family were members of the Hamlin Church of Christ.    One of his biggest joys was talking about when he played football and watching Charlie D play football.  He loved coming home to a kitchen bar full of lineman chowing down and talking about football.   He never missed one of his kid’s or grandkid’s events.   The light of his life where his grandkids.  Jennifer and Charlie were completely amazed at the things the grandkids got away with that they wouldn’t even try when they were kids.  When the oldest, JoLana Kay got here, Jennifer remembers him constantly rubbing her feet and exclaiming how tiny they were. He spoiled her so much in this way that until she was well up in age, she would put her feet in his lap to rub and no matter what he was doing, he stopped and rubbed her feet.  Then Colton Dale came, his feet weren’t quite as tiny and cute, but Charles was sure he was the greatest grand boy ever born.  Then when Bailee Michelle was born with that red hair, Charles was just sure she was the epitome of perfection.  Later he acquired Karyn, Keith, and Kylan “Chrystal Gail” Cooper and he had no problem loving them just like me the others.

Charles was known to many as a mountain of a man, most would be surprised to know he was so small he slept in a shoe box after his birth. Charles was a talented welder and constantly had a project going.  He could fix about any Ford or Chevy and would not say kind words if you bought anything but a Ford or a Chevy.  He loved to metal detect and getting home to share his treasures with Elaine was great excitement for him.    Not many people tried harder than Charles to win that darn lottery.   For years he kept a spiral of numbers picked because he just knew he would crack the code to the right numbers.

Charles is survived by his wife Elaine, his daughter Jennifer Cooper (husband Terry Cooper), his son Charles Dale Jenkins Jr. (wife Brandi Jenkins), And special Niece Misty Raines (husband George) of Englewood, Florida.   Six grandchildren JoLana, Karyn, Keith, Colton, Kylan, and Bailee.  His brothers Patrick Jenkins (wife Linda) of Payson, Arizona and Chester C.A. Jenkins (wife Rhonda) of  Rowlett, Texas, sister Mary Dell Jenkins of  Washington D.C., and many Nieces and Nephews!   He was preceded in death by his Dad, mom and two sisters Suzanne Jackson and Jeanette Campbell.