Joe Jenkins died on December 5, 2017 after battling lung cancer.  He was born on January 16, 1938 in Kilgore, Texas to Ed and Rufina Jenkins.  He met and married Patricia House in 1957. Joe graduated from SMS in 1959 with a B.S. in Mathematics and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army where he served for twenty years.  Joe completed Ranger and Airborne training and served his country in many varied assignments both in the infantry and in military intelligence including two tours in Munich, Germany for a total of seven years, two tours in Vietnam, a tour in Peterborough, England and led a small Military Intelligence unit at RAF Alconbury; and a final overseas tour in Bangkok, Thailand. He also had tours in Fort Sill, OK, Fort Leavenworth KS, Fort Huachuca, AZ and Fort Sam Houston, TX.  He retired from the Army in 1979 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Upon retirement from the Army he returned to Springfield, Mo with his wife, Pat to join his brothers in the family business, Jenkins Diesel Power. There he worked for 37 years both in management and in public relations and was committed to many civic and community organizations including OTC Foundation, Springfield Chamber, Rotary, North Springfield Betterment Association, Springfield Contractors Association, Sister Cities, Greene County Extension Council, also served on the boards of Isuzu Dealer Council of North America and  American Truck Dealer Association. Many other community organizations benefited from his involvement.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother and wife, Pat. He is survived by brothers Jim Jenkins and Dan Jenkins and his wife Pamela, of Springfield and brothers-in-law Dennis House and wife Betty, Chapel Hill, N.C., David House of Springfield, many nephews, nieces, cousins and a host of loving friends and associates.

Joe's Visitation will be held at Glendale Christian Church in Springfield on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 from 11:00am to 1:00 pm.  A Memorial Service will be held immediately following the visitation at 1:00pm at the same location, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  Interment will be at Missouri Veterans Cemetery at 3:00pm following the service.

The family is grateful to the staff of The Maples Health and Rehabilitation and Integrity Hospice for their care and compassion. Special thanks to Joan Pruitt for her care during Joe's journey.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Rare Breed Youth Outreach, 1630 N. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65803, with his gratitude.