Judge Richard W. Jenkins

He was born January 23, 1931, at his parents’ home, Elbert T. and Willie Sanders Jenkins, who predecease him. He was also preceded in death by 2 infant twin siblings, 4 brothers, Jack and Marion Jenkins, Bob and Carmack Cochran.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Barbara Dunlap Jenkins.

Richard went to Rosemont Elementary School, whose students remained friends for their lifetimes and continued to have annual reunions until 2013. He graduated from Donelson High School, where he excelled in academics and football. He was a member of the 1949 Volunteer Boys State. In 1950 the Kiwanis Club of Nashville sponsored an essay contest among all schools in Davidson County, public, private and parochial, on “Free Enterprise and U.S. Socialism.” Richard was awarded first place, and the Kiwanis Club printed and distributed copies county-wide, wanting as many people as possible to read it. While a student, he was President of the Junior and Senior Class. He was President and Vice-President of the Forensic Club during his Senior and Junior class and won numerous County, District, and State competitions, including the Davidson County Debating Championship. He received the DHS Citizenship Award during his Senior year, chosen by his fellow students. He served as business manager on the school annual and was elected “Best All Around” by his fellow students. He received the Civitan Scholarship Key, given by the Civitan Club, for the student judged first in loyalty, leadership and conduct.

After serving in the US Army as a neuro psychiatric technician at Walter Reed Hospital, he entered Vanderbilt University and graduated with a bachelor degree and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 1959. He served as Deputy Clerk and Master of the Davidson County Chancery Court and was a member of the Martin and Cochran Law Firm.

Richard was elected to the first Metro Council as a Charter Member, representing the 13th District in 1962, and again in 1966. The fist council was responsible for bringing together the operations of 2 different governments and to merge them into a single countywide government. He played a major part in accomplishing this task and served as President pro tem and the presiding officer due to the respect of his fellow council members.

Judge Jenkins was first appointed to the position of Juvenile Court Judge by Governor Buford Ellington in 1967, and thereafter was elected in 1968, 1974, and 1982. While Judge he made numerous improvements in the system. He was the first Juvenile Court Judge to allow the press to cover court proceedings and allowed the general public to attend hearings. In 1968, he instituted a program called “Project Challenge” which reduced truancy from 39% to 2%. He served as President of the Tennessee Council of Juvenile Court Judges, was a member of the Nashville and Tennessee Bar Association, the Barristers Club, the Board of Directors of Family and Children’s Services and Dede Wallace. He was a member of the Kiwanis and Lions Club and Board of Directors of Buddies Inc.

Beginning in 1969 and continuing for years, he was urging the community schools and Metro Council to set up a special school for truants so they and their families would receive special attention, rather than sending truants to reformatory institutions. He started the first out-reach program in 1970, locating court probation officers at 1307 Jefferson Street, called the North Nashville Youth Project, which became the Youth Aid Bureau. He wanted a program located in the community where juveniles and their families could receive counseling, secure part-time employment, and work closely with the schools. In1972 he established the Protective Service Unit, dealing exclusively with neglected, dependent, or abused children on a 24 hour basis. He established a Public Service Work Program so juveniles could participate in community work as part of their probation. He established the use of Referees to hear cases permitting a more expeditious disposition of cases at a fraction of the costs. He started a Safe-Driver’s Clinic for first offenders. He was very proud of the fact that he never made a judicial decision based on politics, friendships, or whatever might be popular. The position irritated some elected officials who wanted favors based on politics or friendships.

For nearly his entire life he had a passion for dancing, hunting, fishing, gardening and cooking. He began dancing in competitions as young as 5 years old. His gardens were so bountiful and large that he gave and sold to friends. He loved hunting so much, he went hunting the day before he took the bar exam. He raised and bred Corgi dogs and beagles. He raised cattle, goats, and chickens. He and his wife owned Labrador retrievers as family pets for over 40 years. He was a wonderful cook, taught his wife how to cook and was known for his BBQ rabbit, chicken and dumplings and fried fish. He put up his own country hams for himself and friends in his own smokehouse and even into his 80’s made homemade sausage that everyone wanted to buy. He made a special hot sauce and pear preserves that everyone loved. He started the once monthly American Legion Post 88 Breakfast and often served his sausage and preserves. He was selling eggs from his free range chickens until the age of 86. He made his own bluebird houses and for years did freestyle carvings with a knife.

He was adored by his wife, who he hired to come to work for the Court in the early 70’s. Four years later, they began dating, fell in love and married. He had close friends whom he had from childhood. He was a kind man, who never held a grudge, even when his wife thought he should. He believed the best revenge was a smile and a kind word.

He lived the life he wanted and when good friends died, he always made new friends. He will be greatly missed by many people. He significantly improved the lives of many people and greatly contributed to the Davidson County community. This remarkable man fought the good fight and finished the race well.

Visitation with the family will be on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at Hermitage Funeral Home from 1:30 pm until 2:30 pm.

The Celebration of Life Service will follow the visitation at 2:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, 100 Club in Nashville, Old Friend Senior Dog Sanctuary or to a charity of your choice.

The Jenkins family would like to extend special thanks Dr. William Baucom, Dr. Tarel Patel with Centennial Heart, Dr. Laura Blakely, Assistants and Nurses with Tennessee Oncology, and Gentiva Hospice.