Obituary for Rev. James Leonard Jenkins
The Reverend James (Jim) Leonard Jenkins, age 89, died peacefully at the Episcopal Homes in Saint Paul, on March 14. Preceded in death by parents Jasper and Ethel, siblings Jack Jenkins, Adele Schultz and Marion Carr, and daughter Martha Suzanne Jenkins. Survived by brother Thomas Jenkins (Judy), son David Jenkins (Rebecca Lynch), daughter Elizabeth Limpert (Scott), stepdaughters Dina Fesler (Brad Leonard) and Maria Fesler, and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.
Born in Saint Paul on March 12, 1931, Jim graduated from George Washington High School and Macalester College in Saint Paul. After completing Divinity studies at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, he was ordained in 1955 by Bishop Keeler as an Episcopal priest for the Diocese of Minnesota. His many years of ministry brought him to several churches in greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities, including parishes in Pine Island, Virginia, Saint Paul, Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Excelsior and Albert Lea, and service as chaplain at Breck School, Sheltering Arms School, and Cass Lake Episcopal Camp. He served a term on the diocesan Commission for Ministry. He also worked in alcoholism rehabilitation programs with the Johnson Institute of Minneapolis. On his retirement in 1993 as Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Excelsior, his ministry was the longest continuous priestly service in the Diocese of Minnesota.
After retiring from part-time supply ministry, he became a dedicated parishioner of St. George’s in St. Louis Park, maintained many friendships with former parishioners from Trinity Excelsior, Gethsemane Minneapolis, and other churches, did volunteer work at the Cathedral of St. Mark, and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and family. Moving to the Episcopal Homes in Saint Paul at age 86, he was devoted to the worship and spiritual life of the community and participated enthusiastically in music programs and sing-alongs. He was well-known and beloved by staff and residents of the Episcopal Homes for his prayerful presence, his loving attention to others, and his joy in singing. His family expresses its sincere gratitude to the nursing, program and spiritual staff of the Episcopal Homes, and to the staff of Grace Hospice for their care. Memorial gifts may be directed to the Episcopal Homes. Memorial service is pending at this time.
Born in Saint Paul on March 12, 1931, Jim graduated from George Washington High School and Macalester College in Saint Paul. After completing Divinity studies at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, he was ordained in 1955 by Bishop Keeler as an Episcopal priest for the Diocese of Minnesota. His many years of ministry brought him to several churches in greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities, including parishes in Pine Island, Virginia, Saint Paul, Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Excelsior and Albert Lea, and service as chaplain at Breck School, Sheltering Arms School, and Cass Lake Episcopal Camp. He served a term on the diocesan Commission for Ministry. He also worked in alcoholism rehabilitation programs with the Johnson Institute of Minneapolis. On his retirement in 1993 as Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Excelsior, his ministry was the longest continuous priestly service in the Diocese of Minnesota.
After retiring from part-time supply ministry, he became a dedicated parishioner of St. George’s in St. Louis Park, maintained many friendships with former parishioners from Trinity Excelsior, Gethsemane Minneapolis, and other churches, did volunteer work at the Cathedral of St. Mark, and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and family. Moving to the Episcopal Homes in Saint Paul at age 86, he was devoted to the worship and spiritual life of the community and participated enthusiastically in music programs and sing-alongs. He was well-known and beloved by staff and residents of the Episcopal Homes for his prayerful presence, his loving attention to others, and his joy in singing. His family expresses its sincere gratitude to the nursing, program and spiritual staff of the Episcopal Homes, and to the staff of Grace Hospice for their care. Memorial gifts may be directed to the Episcopal Homes. Memorial service is pending at this time.