Marion Travis Jenkins

Marion Travis Jenkins passed away Friday, September 1, 2017 at the Avalon Assisted Living in Keller, Texas. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Vitas Hospice or to First United Methodist Church of Colleyville. Funeral: 2:00pm on Wednesday at First United Methodist Church of Colleyville with Burial following at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home. Marion, better known as Trav, Gpa or “Shorty,” was born Sept. 3, 1919 in Melvin, TX. to George W. and Mittie Wootton Jenkins. He grew up on a ranch near Melvin, with his two brothers, where they learned the importance of hard work. After completing high school he attended Sul Ross University where he received a Bachelor’s of Science and continued his education receiving a Master’s Degree from Sam Houston State Teachers College. It was while he was attending Sul Ross University that he met Mildred Gibbens. The eventually married on Dec. 27, 1942 just prior to being sent to serve in the U.S. Army in World War II. Shorty always said that Mildred was his first and only sweetheart. They were happily married for 73 years until her passing in 2016. After serving as a medic in the war, Shorty spent time as a Vocational Agriculture teacher and then as an Agricultural Consultant for the Carnation Company. His years with the Carnation Company took him overseas to Europe and Asia. He often took Mildred with him and was able to meet lots of people who became “Forever Friends.” Playing music on his guitar with friends was one of Shorty’s favorite pastimes. They all enjoyed playing at someone’s house or going to a nursing home to share their talents. It was a regular occurrence that he looked forward to and the songs he loved were some of the old hymns that he sang and played on the guitar when he grew up. Shorty had been a member of the First United Methodist Church of Colleyville since 1984. He loved the Lord and enjoyed sharing this love with others. This love along with his devotion to family and friends made him the man he was. We would like to thank Vitas and all of the caregivers for the kindness they extended to him. Shorty was preceded in death by his parents, G.W. and Mittie Jenkins; brothers, Dewey and DeeRay Jenkins; wife, Mildred Jenkins and son-in-law, James Kniese. Survivors: Daughter, Kerry Kniese; granddaughters and their spouses, Nicole and Erik Austin and Michelle and Mark Shields; great-grandchildren, Karoline and Gabe Austin, Emma, Travis and Zane Shields; and many other nieces, nephews and friends.