John Olan Jenkins, 81, of Vinton, passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, May 23, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. John was born on July 22, 1942 to Jessie and Ina Fussell Jenkins. John was the youngest of 12 children. He also had 12 step brothers and sisters.
In January 1959, John married Nellie Brooks of Covington, LA. They were married 65 years. John and Nellie had 3 children, John Gregory Jenkins and wife Susan, Michael Wayne Jenkins, and Loretta Jenkins Modica of Vinton. There are 7 grandchildren, Monique Chandler, Jessica Jenkins, Emily Carrier, Hayli Jenkins, Jonathan Janise, Mistee Hathaway and Kacey Frytag; 13 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren. He had a large family full of love. John loved everyone of them and always worried about them. He always tried to help them as much as he could.
John worked until he retired at 72. He worked offshore for Brown & Root for 32 years, as well as for McDermont, Horizon and Cal-Dive for many years. After his retirement, he became a professional yard man, cutting his grass 2-3 times a week. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
He had a host of family and friends that he cared about, they will all miss him greatly. John always wore a smile. When things looked bad he just smiled and trusted God that everything would be alright.
John is preceded in death by his son, Michael Wayne Jenkins; his parents; 7 brothers and 4 sisters.
Funeral Service will be held at 12 P.M. on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 in Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 10 A.M. on Tuesday. Brother Denny Jenkins and Brother Marshall Baggett will officiate. Burial will follow service at Big Woods Cemetery in Vinton, LA. Words of comfort and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.
