Jack Howard Jenkins

JACK HOWARD JENKINS Our precious Jack died in an automobile accident on August 17th at the age of seventeen. He dearly loved, and was dearly loved by his family and many wonderful friends. Jack was passionate about life. He was happiest when he was playing drums, being with his friends, and participating in debate. As he grew and his interests changed, what remained constant was the passion with which he lived his life. Jack was an accomplished debater who never believed awards were the purpose of debate. Rather, he valued debate because he found in the community of debaters a power and ability to be an agency for change and for the pursuit of truth. Some of Jack’s most meaningful relationships were formed with other debaters who, like himself, believed in their common ability to make a difference. Music likewise was essential to Jack, and his gift for drumming provided his primary outlet for artistic self-expression. Jack appreciated humor and used it often to illustrate his points and to diffuse our worries. He was sincere and was put off when he perceived pretense or guile. Jack believed that everything one does in life should be done with integrity and intentionality, and he tried to live his life in just that way. Jack was especially kind and affectionate toward those he perceived to be vulnerable, including his elderly grandfather, friends going through some difficulty, and all young children. Jack’s commitment to helping the less fortunate extended outside his family and friends to the larger world. He collected food for Meals on Wheels and volunteered at a local homeless shelter. Jack was also a lover of nature. He found in nature a means to strip life to its essence and to focus on what is truly important. He believed that a common love of nature had the potential to break down the superficial barriers that we sometimes allow to divide us. He felt a profound sense of stewardship toward the environment. This was one reason he decided to become a vegan in his high school years. Some of his favorite times included time spent with friends on the Barton Creek Greenbelt, and time spent in reflection at the Rock Island in Zilker Park. Jack was intensely idealistic, and that idealism left him vulnerable to pain as his ideals conflicted with the world as it is. Jack strove to live life with authenticity and to find the ways in which he could combat materialism and inequity. He was looking forward to the end of his high school years, to next year’s debate tournaments, and to performing with his newly formed band. Our family wishes to thank The Learning Center and others at Westlake High School for the love and support they gave to Jack. Jack is survived by his parents, Scott and Sarah; his sister Emily; his grandmothers, Martha Frede and Katherine Jenkins; and his extended family, including Phyllis, Rick, Ginny and Dan Patrick; Beth, Adam, and Alicia Walmus; Walker and Andrea Walmus; Jane Jenkins; Ellen Frede; and Steve and Andy Barnett. Those wishing to do something in honor of Jack may make a donation in his memory to the SIMS Foundation, the Austin Parks Foundation, the Sustainable Food Center or CARE. Donations to the Austin Parks Foundation made in Jack’s name will be earmarked for protecting the Barton Creek Greenbelt. We are left finally with our memories of Jack, and our greatest memories are of his love and compassion. Jack gave us a model for a way to live life genuinely, and we hope to live the remainder of our days being blessed and inspired by that memory. We love you, Jack, and we will never forget you. A reception with Jack’s family will be held Sunday, August 26th from 5p.m. until 7p.m. at Umlauf Sculpture Garden. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com