Jesse D. Jenkins
Jesse D. Jenkins, sometimes called Denney, passed away on Saturday, December 2, 2023.
Jesse was born on September 23, 1940 to Jesse Sr. and Frances Morton Jenkins.
He graduated from high school in Lamesa. He briefly attended McMurry College before joining the United States Navy. He served as a medic at a base in Corpus Christi.
After the Navy, Jesse was undecided about his next career move, and he tried his hand as a used car salesman, insurance salesman, and construction foreman.
He began working as a carpenter at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and attended night classes at San Antonio College. He was studying business. After encouragement from dentists at the UT Health Science Center, Jesse began to consider dentistry as a profession.
He became a Texas UTHSC dental student in August 1981 at the ripe old age of 41. He was elected class president all four years of his dental education. He graduated in May 1985 and gave a commencement speech at the graduation ceremony.
Jesse was in private practice in Odessa, Texas from 1985 to 1988. Jesse’s greatest
love, however, was teaching dentistry to senior students at Baylor College of Dentistry from 1988 to 2000. Jesse concluded his career as Director of Dental Services at
Bonham VA.
Jesse was an avid reader, especially about World War II and the American Civil War. He enjoyed traveling to Civil War battle sites and a trip to the Holy Land.
One of his favorite pastimes was playing his guitar, writing songs, and singing his songs for others. He would sing at many venues, nursing homes, church events, front porches, back patios and any time for friends and family.
Jesse is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jan Hunter Jenkins. He is also survived by his son Jordan, grandson Jesse P., nephews, Mitch, Chuck and John Gregory Jenkins.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that remembrances be made to Alzheimer’s Association North Central Texas Chapter.
– Press-Reporter obituary services