Keith was born on July 19, 1945 in Houston, Texas to Lanna and Leonard Jenkins. He lived in Houston where he attended school and graduated from Waltrip High School in 1963. He went on to attend the University of Houston and began teaching math at Black Jr. High. Keith was a hard worker even in college. As he finished his bachelor’s degree, he began working towards his next goal which was to become an attorney. Keith drove a school bus route before and after school, taught school during the day, and attended law school at night. He graduated from South Texas College of Law.
Keith and Marlene met through mutual friends, Bill and June Moore, when Keith was finishing law school and Marlene was teaching elementary school. After dating for a few months, Keith and Marlene were married on December 18, 1971. They lived in Houston until shortly after the birth of their first child, Nichole in 1973. They moved to Conroe near Marlene’s mother and later when their son Keith was born, they moved to the country. Keith practiced law and then in 1980 near the time of Kirk’s birth he began teaching at Sam Houston State University. He went on to teach a variety of classes including business law, entrepreneurship, and others for over 30 years.
Keith was a very active member of First Methodist Church in Conroe where he sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and served on committees for the church. He enjoyed being a servant on Emmaus walks. He served in the Kiwanis Club organization. Keith worked for the Republican party in Montgomery County and worked as an election judge in many elections. He was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society. Keith volunteered for the Keep Us Fed organization. He also volunteered at The Gathering Place until he was no longer able and became a care partner himself.
Keith was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling with his family. When his sons were younger, Keith spent many seasons coaching them in baseball and serving on the CAYB board. The majority of Keith’s summers and weekends were spent building the family home from the frame up – he was a one-man building crew along with his brother Gerald, best friend Bill, and wife and kids. It was his dream to build Marlene a southern mansion and he did.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents, Lanna and Leonard Jenkins and brother, Leonard Gerald Jenkins. He is survived by his wife, Marlene; daughter, Nichole Utecht and husband, Travis; son, Keith Jenkins and wife, Randi; son, Kirk Jenkins and wife, Claudia; grandchildren, Lily and Colin Utecht, Dalton Jenkins, and Samuel Jenkins and sister-in-law, Pamela Jenkins.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 28th at 10:00 a.m. at First Methodist Church, Conroe, Tx.
The funeral will follow at 11:00 in the chapel at First Methodist Church. Private burial will be in Henderson, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been established for future education or business students at Sam Houston State University in Keith’s memory or a donation to an organization of your choosing.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.metcalffuneraldirectors.com for the Jenkins family.
