George Dennis Jenkins

George Dennis Jenkins was born on August 13, 1941 in Tampa, Florida to Wilbur and Merle Jenkins. He had two brothers, John and Sid. George was raised in Tampa and attended middle school at Admiral Farragut Academy. He attended Plant High School and graduated in 1959.  George went on to attend the University of Florida where he was student body president and Cadet Colonel of Florida ROTC. He was also on the swim team and a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. In August 1961, George was married to his high school sweetheart, Karen Jackson, at the Presbyterian church in Tampa Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1963 with a degree in industrial engineering.

After training at Ft. Benning Georgia, George was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and transferred to Fort Carson in Colorado Springs. He served his country in the Army from 1964-1968 which included a tour in Vietnam where he served with the First of the 61st Infantry Division.  He received several honors including a Parachutist Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device and a Bronze Star Medal. He subsequently transferred to the Corps of Engineers. George was a proud and patriotic American. He loved the symbolism of the American bald eagle and was a collector of items that bore the eagle.

Following an honorable discharge, George began his civilian career with The Trane Company in Denver, CO. In 1969, George moved his wife and daughter to Bow Mar, Colorado where that daughter still resides. In 1970, George had a second daughter. George worked for Trane for the majority of his career, received a number of sales awards and opened and operated an office for Trane in Monterey Mexico during the 1990s. George and Karen divorced in 1982 and George was remarried to Marilyn Bledsoe.He adopted Jason Jenkins shortly thereafter.

A strong Christian, faith and love of family was a driving force in his life.  His greatest joys have come from being a supportive Father and Grandfather.  Sharing his love of sports, particularly football and golf as well as travel and cooking are what his grandchildren reflect on most, particularly their healthy college rivalries between OU, LSU and his alma mater, The University of Florida.  George's revere of his college experience was captured in the naming of his best buddy and beloved cat Gator.  An avid athlete in both high school and college, we celebrate his accomplishments of running in the Bolder Boulder, water skiing barefoot, many gridiron trophies and always being the life of the party. In addition to sports, George had a love of the southwest and enjoyed traveling to Santa Fe and specifically Taos. He often talked about settling there. George lived in Texas for approximately twenty years before returning to Colorado in 2023.

George is survived by three children, Kimberly, Kristen and Jason and nine grandchildren: Taylor, Justin and Lauren Sperry; Jordan, Colin and Hayden Newquist and Azalea, Sophia and Sol Jenkins.

He will be laid to rest with military honors at 12:30 pm on December 21, 2023 at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Fort Logan is located at 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd., Denver, CO 80235. (If you plan to attend, please use the north entrance and arrive at area C no later than 12:15 pm). In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Veteran’s Administration or a charity of your choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George Dennis Jenkins, please visit our floral store.