Richard Earnest James Jenkins III

October 31, 1999 - November 11, 2022

On November 11, 2022, Richard passed away, far too soon, at the age of 23. He

was surrounded by his loving wife Taylor Cole and his mother Kimberly Daniels.

Born on October 31, 1999, in Sacramento, CA he was the oldest child and is

survived by his wife Taylor Cole, mother Kimberly Daniels, father Richard Jenkins

II, sister Natasha, and brothers Montae and Arkem. He attended Marconi Learning

Academy where he met his future wife. In September 2019, he enlisted into the

United States Army as SPC Jenkins to provide a better life for both his existing

family, and the one he wanted to create with his wife.

Richard was always a joy to be around. He always knew how to make someone

laugh, even if they were crying. Even his fellow soldiers say he lit up any room he

walked into. To quote one of his close friends, Saul Lobo, “To say it was rare to see

him upset, would be an understatement.”

Richard completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, SC and Advanced

Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. and was assigned his first duty

station as a CBRN Specialist with 4th CBRN Company in Camp Humphreys, South

Korea. September 2021 brought him state side to the 110th Chemical Battalion at

Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA and was assigned to 2nd Platoon 45th CBRN

Company. In his time with the 45th Hazard Response Company, Richard supported

six major company missions which positively impacted the 48th Chemical

Brigade’s readiness and the capabilities of the Chemical Corps including

successful completion of National Training Center rotation 22-06, Battalion Field

Training Exercise, company validations at Yakima Training Center and two

company Gunnery ranges.

SPC Jenkins’ achievements earned him the Army Commendation Medal, Army

Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Korean Defense Medal, and

Overseas Service Medal.