Ewell "John" I. Jenkins

Ewell I. "John" Jenkins of Carlsbad passed away, December 8, 2009 at Carlsbad Medical Center. A Memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Carlsbad on December 11, 2009 at 1:30 PM. No viewing will be held as direct cremation has taken place. A private burial service will be held at a later time. Mr. Jenkins was born in Frenchman Bayou, Arkansas on September 10, 1918 to Mr. and Mrs. E. I. Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and Crawfordsville, Arkansas. He spent his school years in Crawfordsville. After graduation he joined the US Marine Corps in 1943. He served in World War II. He served in the South Pacific at New Caludina, New Herbedes Islands, Esperida Santos, Sapien Tennian, The Grand Canal, Okinawa and Northern China. He received personal commendation for his service in Okinawa. Mr. Jenkins received an Honorable discharge in May of 1946. Mr. Jenkins worked as a teamster truck driver for Camel Express freight lines until his retirement in 1976. He also worked for Rose Gravel as a driving instructor for a short time. He and his wife are the owners of Turquoise and Things in the mall. Mr. Jenkins enjoyed working at his store as it always gave him the opportunity to meet new people. Mr. Jenkins was a life member of the VFW, and the teamsters. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a Royal Arch Mason. He was also a life member of the BPOE Elks Lodge # 1558, and the Teamsters Union. A member of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and a member of the First United Methodist Church, serving on many boards and committee's within the church. Eddy Lodge #21 AF&AM will confirm a Lodge of Sorrow on Friday 1:00 PM, at The Masonic Lodge. John was preceded in death by his first wife, Eva Frances Jenkins of Crawfordsville; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. I. Jenkins of Ripley, Tennessee and a brother, Donald of Dresden, Tennessee. Surviving John is his wife, Mary of the family home; brother, Roger Jenkins and wife, Ginger of Carlsbad; step-son, Tom Huff and wife, Kathy of Carlsbad; sons: Johnny Jenkins and wife, Patty of Memphis, Tennessee and Frank Jenkins of Los Angeles, California; grandchildren: Alison Huff, Amy Chavez, Wes Jenkins, Ryan Jenkins, Patrick Jenkins and many great-grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers will be Ralph Cunnar, Jack Hendley, Rudy Woolf, Reid McCloskey, Larry Henderson, Gilbert Chavez, Connie Neumann, Charles Gray, George McDowell and Robert Light. In lieu of flowers the family requests that a charitable contribution be made to either the First United Methodist Church, 207 North Halagueno Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220 or their foundation of choice. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.