Lyle Morris Jenkins

Lyle Morris Jenkins, son of William Thomas and Fannie Lewelling Jenkins, passed away peacefully in the early hours of September 2, 2016. He will be fondly remembered by his loving wife of 61 years Mary Koziey Jenkins, his five children Greg & wife Debbie, Byron, Marla & husband Monty Briscoe, Jeff & wife Polly and Tim, wife Diane, and his eleven grandchildren Lauren, Chase, Amber, Dillon, Audrey, Kay Lee, Jeffrey, Layne, Rhett, Annie and Austin. He is also survived by his sister Dorothy Rice and brother Don. Mary and Lyle were to celebrate their 61st Wedding Anniversary this September.

Born October 9, 1931 in the small town of Onaga, Kansas, he always had aspirations to travel to the moon. This fascination with space lead him to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Kansas University and a Masters in Civil Engineering from the University of California Berkley. While he never made it to the moon himself, he contributed to many successful missions into space during his 40 year career at NASA. He also proudly served his country as an officer in the U.S. Navy. His years with his fellow shipmates were celebrated often at reunions for the USS Wedderburn.

Lyle was an avid outdoors man: he loved fishing, camping, tennis, snow skiing, scuba diving and tornado taming. He shared these loves with his family and friends. He deeply loved his grandchildren and in his twilight years they were his greatest joy.

He will be remembered by most as always ready with a big smile, kind and welcoming heart.

His life will be celebrated with a mass at St. Augustines Catholic Church, 5560 Laurel Creek Way, Houston, TX 77017, where he was a member of the congregation for more than 30 years on Tuesday, September 6th at 10:00am. Following the service and burial at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale Avenue, Houston, TX 77023, family and friends are invited to a lunch and reception at the home of Marla and Monty Briscoe.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Galveston Bay Foundation in Lyle's name.