Paul Jenkins

Paul A. Jenkins believed that his story would remain unfinished even after his death. He spent his entire life thinking, wondering, and talking about God. As a seeker of meaning and a preacher, he loved sharing his insights and questions with his congregations, his colleagues and his family. A man who expressed himself easily, he often told his wife he loved her and was lucky to spend his life with her. He deeply loved his family and gladly embraced a life of service to others.

Paul was born on March 9, 1929 in Oak Grove, Louisiana to Benjamin Alexander and Dorthea Elizabeth (Roeder) Jenkins. Being the sons of a minister, Paul and his older brothers, Dave and Johnny, grew up with the unique and rich experience of being "preacher's kids."

When he was a teen, Paul made a stance for the Christian faith that had nurtured him throughout his childhood. While on a hunting trip, he committed himself to Jesus Christ, and from that point onward, he lived with compassion for those who were dear to the heart of God.

As a young adult living in Anderson, Indiana, Paul met the woman who would become his life’s partner. However, the events of one of their dates could have left them in doubt about a future together. One evening, Paul and Mary (Midkiff) were playing ping pong with another couple. They lost and Paul became upset enough to throw his paddle, which did not sit well with Mary. She really didn’t care to go out with him again, but Paul was persistent. He later approached her with the announcement that he was coming to town with the gospel quartet from Anderson College. Caught off guard, Mary agreed to see him. In fact, the more she saw him the more she grew to admire Paul, and their relationship grew.

The couple’s love for one another was sealed in marriage at the Fifth Avenue Church of God in South Charleston, West Virginia, with Paul’s father performing the ceremony. In the days that followed, the newlyweds had a great time taking in the picture-perfect views of the Shenandoah Valley and staying in $5 motels that advertised “Tile Baths.”

Paul and Mary were blessed with two sons. They cared for Stephen and Mark along with their spiritual families. For in 1952, Paul was ordained in the Church of God, becoming the third in several generations to be a minister. He and Mary served many congregations in Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio and Michigan.

Like other clergy who become inspired by retracing the footsteps of Jesus, Paul and Mary took the opportunity in 1959 to travel to the Holy Lands and 11 countries. By 1979, they had become tour guides for study groups in Israel, under the title Educational Opportunities. In every way, Paul and Mary were life partners for the 58 years that God gave them together.

Throughout his career, Paul’s ministry extended beyond the four walls of church and into the community. He was active in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, and over the years, he took stances on social issues that were outside the mainstream. He wrote numerous articles and op-ed pieces for small town newspapers that were sometimes unpopular, but always eloquent. Matters of peace and justice were a life-long concern for Paul, even years after he retired from active ministry.

In 1983, Paul became the Director of Development for Echoing Hills Village, a group of residential care facilities for the physically and developmentally disabled. He returned to parish work in 1991 and served the remainder of his ordained ministry in the Presbyterian Church, USA. Of his life’s work, his wife Mary said, "Paul spent his life helping those who could not help themselves."

The Rev. Paul A. Jenkins, aged 80 (most recently of Holland and Fenton, Michigan) passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2009, at The Boersma Cottage of Rest Haven. Paul was preceded in death by his father, the Rev. Benjamin A. Jenkins, his mother, Dorothea (Roeder) Jenkins, and his oldest brother, David. He is survived by his wife, Mary Louise (Midkiff) Jenkins of Holland; his sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen and Eileen Jenkins of Holland and Mark and Leigh Jenkins of Garden City, Michigan; 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren along with his brother Jon and Anne Jenkins of Baltimore, Maryland and his sisters-in-law, Eloise Reveal of South Charleston, West Virginia and Wanda Smith of Rutherford College, North Carolina.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service to celebrate Paul's life will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, April 26 at First Presbyterian Church, 659 State Street, Holland. Reception to follow at Village at Appledorn, 630 Hastings, also in Holland.

The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be given to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Road SW, Suite 202C, Lilburn, GA 30047 (www.lbda.org).

Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to archive a memory or photo of Rev. Jenkins or to sign the online guest book. Arrangements by Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes~Downtown Chapel.