George Perry Jenkins

George P. Jenkins, Sr., was born on March 21, 1924, in Morristown, New Jersey. to Samuel B. and Anna P. Jenkins. He graduated from Morristown High School in 1942. The following year he entered the U.S. Navy and attained a rank of Ship’s Cook First Class. He was honorably discharged in 1945.

On April 4, 1947, George married Beatrice M. Robinson. The couple had three children, George Jr., Bruce Rodney, and Brenda Marie.

In March 1951 he joined the Morristown Police Department (MPD) where he served for more than 30 years before retiring as Detective Lieutenant. MPD was the first in the county to establish a Community Service Unit and George was the first to head the detail that initially was located on the second floor of the Church of the Redeemer and later moved to the firehouse on speedwell Avenue.

George believed that effective policing depended on officers being involved in the community. His commitment was evident by his active memberships with the American Red Cross, the Fair Housing Council, the Urban League, the NAACP, the American Cancer Society and others. He was a member of the Morris County Blue Coats, an organization of police officers where he served as President.

He and his first wife, the late Councilwoman Beatrice M. Jenkins, created a youth group called The YACS (Young American Cancer Society) that arranged newspaper drives and donated proceeds to the charity. He was a member of the Church of the Redeemer where he served as junior and senior warden, and a member of the choir. In 1960 he co-founded the A & B Cleaning Service, which specialized in office cleaning, house cleaning and floor waxing.

During his years as a policeman he received many commendations and several awards. One most notably was the Valor award given by the State of New Jersey for rescuing a woman from a burning building. Years later on March 20, 2004 George was presented a key to the city of Morristown by the Mayor. It was declared George Jenkins Day.

George married Jessie Alston of Morristown, NJ in 1989. They reside in Orlando, FL, where they are active members of St. Mary of the Angels Episcopal Church. During this time George served as Warden, Sexton and was a choir member.

George is survived by his wife Jessie M. Jenkins; children George P. Jenkins, Jr. of Morris Plains, NJ, Bruce (Lisa) and Brenda Jenkins of Charlotte, NC, Ernest C. Alston of Jacksonville, FL, Kenneth Alston of Morristown, New Jersey, Tyrone (Rashida) Alston of Dover, New Jersey; three sisters, Frances Ann Ricardo of New York City, New York, Virginia Cornish of Los Angeles, California, Charlotte (Raymond) Williams of Scott Plains, New Jersey; two brothers Ralph and Rudolph Jenkins of Los Angeles, California, two brother in laws, William Hutchins of Plant City, Florida and Arnett Mills, Jr (Gladys) of Burlington, North Carolina; two sister in laws, Mattie Hazel Williams or Burlington, North Carolina and Emma Louise Wynn of Blakely, Georgia; grandchildren, Calvin, Janaya, Marcus, Jason, Keisha, Tyssan, Bryair, Zyair and Charles. Other survivors include host of great grandchildren, nephews and cousins. God children Peyton, Mary Violet and Sutton.

Memorial service for Mr. Jenkins will be held on January 14, 2017 at St. Mary of the Angels Episcopal Church, 6316 Matchett Road, Orlando Florida 32809 at 11:00 am. Arrangements by Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Gotha, FL