Thomas Jenkins

Thomas Eugene Jenkins, Sr., devoted husband, loving father, and faithful friend, passed away peacefully at home on December 1, 2012, at the age of 89. Tom was born in Texarkana, Arkansas, on July 8, 1923, to Marguerite and B.C. Jenkins. His family settled in San Antonio, where Tom graduated from Brackenridge High School. He then enrolled at Texas A&M University. In February, 1942, his class was called to service in World War II. After attending OCS, Tom served as a Commander in the European Theater. He remained in active service until September, 1948, retiring as a Captain in the US Army. He returned to A&M, where he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. Tom became a passionate life-long Aggie, attending many Musters, Reunions, and football games.

Tom met Mildred McCall (Millie), the love of his life, in San Antonio in 1946. After a three year courtship, (during which time Tom got a job and bought a car), they married and moved to Ft. Worth, where they started their family and Tom worked for Armour and Co. They moved to Kingsville in 1954 when Tom accepted a job at Celanese Corporation and then to Dickinson in 1968 when he began working for Amoco Chemical in Texas City. Tom finished out his long and satisfying career as a Project Engineer with Bechtel Petrochemical Corporation.

Tom lived a full and purposeful life. He was a family man above all, completely devoted to Millie, his seven children, his grandchildren, and his precious dachshunds, Max and Karl. He and Millie were a team, committing their time and energy to many causes and organizations. Tom was active in the Catholic Church his entire life; he was a member of Shrine of the True Cross in Dickinson for the past 45 years. He belonged to many organizations, including the Society of Registered Professional Engineers, the Knights of Columbus, the Mares Library Board of Directors, Carmeliters, Bay Area Sunshine Club, VIP Advantage, Galveston County RSVP, Galveston Historical Foundation, Senior Friends, 55+ Club, the Dickinson Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association, and the Bay Area Symphony League. When his children were young, Tom served as a Boy Scout leader, a Little League coach and board member and on the Board of Directors of the Camp Fire Girls. He enjoyed hours of volunteering at the 1894 Grand Opera House (usually bartending), the Strand Theatre, COM Theatre, Gateway Visitors Center, the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, the Alley Theatre, the Wortham Center, the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, and the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston.

Tom had many hobbies and interests throughout his life, including golf, bowling, fishing, woodworking, camping, and reading. He and Millie shared a love of travelling, visiting six continents (all except Antarctica). He delighted in his bus trips to the Coushatta Casino Resort with his daughter-in law, Kay, and would brag about his “donations” to the casino. As mentioned, he remained a loyal Aggie; Millie quickly became an honorary Aggie. They were so pleased and proud that several of their children and grandchildren attended A&M.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Robert C. Jenkins (Betty), his sister-in-law, Pat Yates (David), and brother-in-law, Lewis Fountain.

He is survived by his true love of 63 years, Millie, and by his children, Barbara Gibbs (David), Margie Hughes (Kley), Kathy Perkins (Don), Tom (Eileen), Dennis (Kay), Martha, and Chris (Sarah). He will be missed by his grandchildren, Stephen, Chris, and Julia Gibbs; Scott (Megan), Kevin, and Brian Perkins; Patrick, Frances, and Claire Jenkins, Kindel Jenkins, and Chaz and Jamie Miller; and Zachary, Elizabeth, Kate, and Andrew Jenkins; and by his sister-in-law, Dottie Fountain and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation and Rosary, followed by a Memorial Mass, will be held at Shrine of the True Cross Catholic Church in Dickinson on Friday, December 7, at 3 PM. Inurnment of the cremains will be at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shrine of the True Cross Capital Campaign Building Fund.