Robert Jean Jenkins, 84, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, June 18, 2020.
He was born May 26, 1936 in Gordon, Nebraska to Jean Otto and Dorothy (Beckman) Jenkins. In 1954 he joined the Marine Corp. In 1956 he was honorably discharged as a Tractor Mechanic Tank Crewman following an injury during the Korean War.
He married the love of his life, Beryl M. Peters on September 4, 1962. Following their marriage they moved from Tulsa, OK to Springfield, OR where he worked as an airplane body repairman and where they had their only daughter, Jana Michal. Soon thereafter they moved back to the Gordon area where Bob could pursue his love of farming. A son was born to them in Gordon, Keith Robert. Bob owned a hay grinding business where he kept busy in the winter time when he wasn’t farming. They later moved closer to the Hemingford area.
He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 9 in Hemingford. Bob knew a lot of people and had many life-long friends. He would easily have some story to tell. Family was always important to him and he never complained. He was a diehard Marine. He enjoyed collecting guns, farm equipment miniatures and building intricate town and country buildings for small scale train yards and towns. He was easy to love and will be missed.
He is survived by his wife, Beryl Jenkins of Hemingford; his children, Jana (Shaun) Werkele of Wheatland, WY, Keith Jenkins of Hemingford, Michael Barnett of Bac Lieu, Vietnam and Steven Barnett of Wasilla, AK; his grandchildren, Kalen Willson of Hemingford and Jacey Willson of Wichita, KS; and his great-granddaughter, Arya Grieser of Alliance. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jim Jenkins.
Family graveside memorial services with military rites will be held at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance.
Memorials may be given in care of the family at, 6230 Dodge Road, Hemingford, Nebraska, 69348.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould,com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.