Lt. Col. Harry J. Jenkins

[ironputts]

June 5, 2021

Lt. Col. Harry J. Jenkins
Region Headquarters
Pacific Region

Obituary:

November 26, 1946 - May 24, 2021
 
U.S. Veteran

Harry James "Jim" Jenkins, age 74, of Russellville, passed away on Monday, May 24, 2021 at Helen Keller Hospital.

When Jim was growing up, his dad served in the U.S. Navy allowing Jim to experience different cultures and receive education in many different places including Malta, Sicily, and Bermuda.  When grown, Jim proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corp and the Army National Guard as a medical corp officer.  He attended college at Kettering College of Medical Arts and worked as a Physician Assistant in southern California for over 25 years.   Jim volunteered  with  the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and was instrumental in finding several crashed aircraft during searches and as a Reserve Police Officer for 29 years in San Bernardino, CA. Additionally he responded with the National Disaster Response Team to Ground Zero to assist in the search and rescue efforts of 911. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Jay & Eugenia (McKinney) Jenkins.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 43 years, Janene Jenkins; son, Richard Jenkins (wife, Denise); and a host of friends.

CAP dedication:

I am profoundly saddened to announce the passing of one of the historic pillars of the California Wing Cadet Programs family...Lt. Col Harry "Jim" Jenkins.

Lt Col Jenkins passed away last Monday morning at his home in Alabama.

Very few members have served Civil Air Patrol with both the length, and the passion of Lt Col Jenkins. He was a rare member, joining first as a Cadet in 1962 in Maryland Wing then transferring to California Wing's Norton Cadet Squadron 31 where he earned his Billy Mitchell award before transitioning to Senior Member, eventually contributing over 59 years of singularly dedicated service.

Most people in California knew Jim from his Encampment service, which is undeniably extensive (estimated to be 25 encampments) but there was much more to Jim than Encampment. Jim worked in Emergency Services holding IS-100, 200, 700 and 800 certifications. He was rated a Senior Ground Team Leader and an Observer as well. Jim earned several "Find" ribbons for locating actual downed aircraft. He served the National's Cadet Officer's School on staff for 5 years, participated as an Escort and Host for the International Air Cadet Exchange, attended numerous Cadet Program Conferences and other various CAWG events and activities. His service encompassed all levels of CAP from Squadron to National Staff. His California Wing duties included Cadet Activities Officer and Cadet Program Development Officer. At Pacific Region he served for years as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Cadets Programs. He concluded his CAP career as the Spaatz Medical Specialist for the National Cadet Team. As an early 1st Lt Jim managed to gain admission to the first class of CAP's new National Staff College. He progressed through the Senior Professional Development program culminating with his earning of the Gill Robb Wilson award, number 2543.

Jim's Encampment history is nothing short of extensive. The highlight of which was serving as the Commandant of Cadets in 1975 at the birth of the original Cadet Training Group. He later went on to serve at Encampment as a Tactical Officer, Logistics Officer, Safety Officer, Deputy Commander for Support in 2007 and Deputy Commander in 2015. Jim currently holds the California Wing record with a historic run as Encampment Commander for five California Wing Encampments in 1997, 1999, 2009, 2012 and in 2013. In honor of Lt Col Jenkins vast Encampment service and the standards to which he aspired, California Wing established the "Lt Col Jim Jenkins Award for Senior Staff Excellence" in 2015.

On a more personal note, Jim was a strong, life-long friend. Sometimes even driving cross-country to attend Cadet activities and rekindling old friendships with traditional meals at familiar locales. When friends of his were seriously ill, Jim would visit with offers of help and support. He was known for his strong opinions, not always agreed with, but they were always heartfelt with high expectations for Cadet performance and behavior. He genuinely cared about the outcomes of our training and how that spurred growth and development within Cadets. Known for his booming voice from far away he could stop you in your tracks, reminding you to pay "attention to detail," and as we grew older, we came to admire him with a reasoned respect. For over 50 years, he worked so that Cadets could have the best Cadet Program possible. He always advocated for the last Cadet in the last row. It could, and has, been said that he had a rough or intimidating exterior, but just as many say that he had a truly soft heart on the inside. He was mentor, peer, professional, friend, advisor, and companion to many of us.

We sincerely thank and profoundly appreciate Lt Col Jenkins for his life-long contribution to Civil Air Patrol and his consistent dedication to the Cadets of our program. He will certainly be missed by many, very deeply. Please join me in wishing Lt Col Jenkins "Fair Skies and Tailwinds Sir!". On behalf of every California Wing Cadet for the last 60 years we will forever appreciate your lasting impact to our program and to each and every one of us.

A small memorial ceremony for Lt Col Jenkins will take place at the very appropriate California Wing Cadet Summer Encampment next month.
Several of Jim's friends contributed to this announcement. Bye Jim and thank you.

A California Wing Cadet Programs memorial containing many personal thoughts, experiences and remembrances will be available shortly at:

https://cawgcadets.org/wp/?page_id=297

By:

Maj Glenn Wiggins, California Wing Director of Cadet Programs