Donald E. “Mr. J.” Jenkins

                On May 31, 2013, God called home a wonderful Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great-Grandfather. Mr. Donald Edward “Mr. J.” Jenkins was born in 1924 in Harpers Ferry, WV, the son of the late Sterlie and Anna Kibler Jenkins. He was a FEMA bus driver, retiring after 36 years, and then a bus driver for Winchester Public Schools. “Mr. J.”  was also employed by Sacred Heart Academy where he truly loved the children and pulled many “first” teeth. . He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, Charles Town, WV. Mr. Jenkins was a veteran of World War II, serving with the First Cavalry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas, and later was stationed in Casablanca with the Last Horse Cavalry.

Among his many joys was the yearly tradition of being “Santa Claus” for Nerangis Enterprises. This was a love that he carried not only during the holidays, but every day of his life.

He married Nancye Elizabeth Lowery on February 1, 1945, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hagerstown, MD by the Rev. Wilson P. Ard.

Surviving with his wife of 68 years are daughters, Sharlyn Jenkins Lewis and husband, Wesley,  Kim Jenkins Kirby and husband, Roger, and Kyle Jenkins and companion, Wanda Gallahan, all of Winchester; grandchildren Amy Thompson and husband, Shaun, Ashley Kirby and fiance’, Garland Meadows, Jason Kirby, Matthew Kirby and wife, Chelsea, Cole Dow and girlfriend, Mackenzie Harden and Brandy Lewis, all of Winchester, and Joshua Kirby and wife, Annessa of  Bristow, VA; great granddaughters Lauren, Rachel and fiance’, Matt Signor, and Devyn Thompson, Meah Meadows, Karrigan and Haylee Kirby, Kyleigh Dow, and Addison and Cassidy Kirby; One great-great grandson, Logan Thompson, and a sister, Janice Morrison of Westminster, MD.

He was preceded in death by sister Virginia Metz and brothers Arthur Jenkins, Hayward Jenkins, and Fred Jenkins.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday evening at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel. A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel, with Pastor Rob Lovett and Pastor Joan Rainsberger officiating. Interment will be private.

Contributions to honor the memory of “Mr. J.” may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, VA 22601.

Please view obituaries and tribute wall at www.ompsfuneralhome.com