Tom Ball Jenkins

Tom was born on November 3, 1937, in Temple, TX to Zella (Ball) and Grady Jenkins. Small town life meant playing in the creek behind his home, tending to pet rabbits, exploring his mother’s vegetable garden, and sharing adventures along his paper route.

In high school, Tom led the Wildcats to a state-title game while being named 2nd-Team All-State Quarterback at Temple High School, graduating class of 1956.

Tom attended Texas Tech University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in the class of 1960. Along the way, he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) fraternity and the Saddle Tramps, cultivating enduring and cherished friendships. Tom served as President of the Texas Baptist Student Union during his junior year and was an active member of Rotary Club in Lubbock after graduation.

For 30 years, Tom worked as a sales representative for IBM, getting the chance to live in several areas of the country and winning multiple 100% Club awards. In retirement, Tom loved spending his days working alongside his wife of 40 years in their gift business, Personally Yours. Together, they traveled with good friends across the U.S. and Europe, and while at home, entertained happy grandchildren at their lake house on Lake Cypress Springs.

A man of quiet faith, Tom taught Sunday school, served as a Presbyterian elder and a Methodist deacon, and gave back to others through his involvement with Stephen’s Ministry. Tom also enjoyed lending his voice to various church-related choir activities.

Tom loved being a husband, dad, grandfather and devoted friend, enjoying the slow, simple pleasures of being together. Known as “Tom Ball” to his close friends, he will be remembered as a friendly and kind man who never knew a stranger. He had a genuine love for people and took a sincere interest in their lives, welcoming everyone with his warm, approachable smile and lending a hand, if needed, in times of crisis. Whether he was coaching youth sports, enjoying the outdoors, or hunting and fishing with family and friends, he found joy in sharing those experiences with others.

In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his older brother, John Grady Jenkins. Tom is survived by his loving family including his wife Claudia Austin Jenkins, son Gil (Cindy) Jenkins, daughter Lyn Jenkins, son Ross (Kirstie McDonald Scott) Jenkins, stepdaughter Karen (Ross) Graham, stepson James (Missy) Deen, sister Ann Balch, nephews Scott (Lynda) Balch and Jeff (Toni) Balch, niece Cindy (Dave) Boyd, nieces Melissa (Eric) Miller and Marcia McDannel, grandchildren Lily, Jake, Luke, Bo (Lexi), Codi (Brady), Emily, Ryan (Sara), Cesca, and great-grandchildren Gwen and McCoy.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, July 20, at 2pm at White’s Chapel Methodist Church, 185 S. White Chapel Blvd, Southlake, TX 76092.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s memory to The Alzheimer’s Association.