Jeffrey Raymond Jenkins

Jeffrey “Jeff” Raymond Jenkins, 56 years old, died unexpectedly on Saturday July 29, 2017.
Jeff had a generous, genuinely kind spirit and could make a friend anywhere. He showed his love of his friends, family, strangers and especially his wife as best he could at all times. Many people helped him in life and he believed in acknowledging them and then sharing his gratitude with others, especially with friends of Bill W. As a result, he had connections to countless people.
He was born in Belleville, N.J., and spent his early years in Essex County, then later in Long Valley, N.J., Lake Glenwood, in Vernon NJ and Destin, Fla., before finally settling in Lake Glenwood with his childhood sweetheart.
The couple had no children of their own, but seemed constantly surrounded by their dozens of nieces, nephews and young cousins to the delight of all.
Jeff was a 1993 graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. After his career as a chef, he worked as a Union Carpenter, doing metal work, then most recently as a driver delivering new cars.
Vehicles of any kind were a passion of Jeff’s and he could identify, take apart and put together just about any car, motorcycle or engine of any type. He was an avid reader of all things non-fiction, and a huge military history buff, who seemed to know about every battle, war, weapon or piece of machinery, and could talk at length about them as he did on a recent visit to Gettysburg with a complete stranger despite being outside while it was 20 degrees. He loved the junkyard, thrift store, yard sale or auctions which were really more like treasure hunts to him. He was always up for a trip or an adventure but was really happiest near the water, whether it be the lake or the ocean, surrounded by those he loved.
He was a member of the Glenwood Baptist Church which beckoned him in his later years and was a source of solace. He grew every day in his new found faith and now reaps the greatest reward.
Jeffrey is the beloved husband of Robyn McLeod Jenkins. Dear brother of Donald Jenkins of Vernon Twp., N.J., Eric Jenkins and his wife, Christine of Wantage Twp., NJ, Kim Parrish and her companion Nelson Fallas of Andover, N.J., and Tara Bates and her husband, Randy of Yarmouth, Maine. Loving son of Clifford and Joan Jenkins of both Vernon Twp., N.J., and Ogunquit, Maine. Cherished son in law of John and Rosemarie McLeod of Vernon Twp., N.J., brother in law of Lori Reed of Clarion, Pa., Cheri Bishop and her companion, Jess Johnson of Stroudsburg, Pa., Jennifer Pierce and her husband, Scott, of Springfield, Mass., and Denise Flood and her husband, Dustin, of Vernon Twp., N.J. He is survived also by many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, most of which he gained the day he married.
The family received their friends at Ferguson-Vernon Funeral Home, 241 Route 94(1 Vanderhoof Court for GPS), Vernon, N.J. on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017, from 3-7 p.m. Funeral service will commence at 7 p.m. Cremation is private. Information and condolences can be found at www.fergusonvernonfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jeffrey’s name to the Glenwood Baptist Church, 1863 County Road 565, Glenwood, N.J.