Edward W. Jenkins

Jenkins, Edward W., 80, of Largo, Florida, passed away Dec. 30, 2013 following a 5-year battle with leukemia. Ed is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Mary Lou, their six children Mike (Mary), Sue (Don), Debbie (Joe), Tom (Joann), Bob (Christi), and Kevin (Stacey), eleven grandchildren, two sisters and one brother, and many other relatives and friends. He was raised in Williamsville, New York, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years during the Korean War. Upon leaving the service, Ed enrolled at Michigan State University where he met his wife, Mary Lou, while they waited in line to enroll in an honor’s English class during their first semester. Ed earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering through the honor’s program at Michigan State University in 1959. After graduation, he worked for IBM for 35 years in a variety of marketing and management positions until 1994. Ed and Mary Lou then retired to Florida. He loved volunteering at Morton Plant Hospital, driving a tram and meeting the patients and visitors; Ed enjoyed helping them find their way on the busy campus. Ed and Mary Lou also delivered Meals on Wheels for twelve years until his health issues prevented him from continuing his volunteer activities. Ed loved spending time with his family – family always came first, as it was the focus of his life. For leisure time, he enjoyed playing tennis, was excellent at completing challenging crossword puzzles and he was a voracious reader. Ed loved watching MSU basketball games and he made every effort to watch, or listen to, as many Detroit Tiger baseball games as he could, being a passionate fan since his teen years. A lifelong Catholic, Ed was a member of St. Justin Martyr Church in Florida. A memorial service and inurnment will take place this summer at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Saline, Michigan, where he had lived and raised his family for 28 years.