Lauren Lee Jenkins was born in Olympia, WA to Geneva Noble and Art Jenkins on May 6, 1946. His older sister, Norene Jenkins; and half-brother; Archie Jenkins; half-sisters Olive Jenkins and Ethel Jenkins predeceased him, as did both his parents. Lauren died of bladder cancer after a year-long struggle.
Lauren attended Garfield Elementary and graduated from Olympia HS in 1964. He attended Centralia Community College graduating in 1966.
Lauren worked at Memorial Clinic as a night janitor during high school and college and met his former wife Loris (Cunning) Gies there. They were married on February 12, 1966 at the old St. Michael's Church.
They had four children, M. Katherine Finnell; Jennifer Mullins; Andrew (Laura Wesen) Jenkins and Juli (David) Drake. Following their divorce in 1981, Lauren enjoyed a long-term relationship with Caryl Schaefer. Lauren, Loris, and her husband, Russ Gies, worked together to co-parent their children in a cooperative manner.
Lauren worked for Boeing in Auburn from 1966 to 1968. Then for the WA Department of Transportation Bridge Division from 1968 until his retirement in 2011. He worked on several major projects during his time with WSDOT, starting as a draft person and ending his career as a program engineer.
He enjoyed camping, golf, and spending time with his family — yearly picnics on Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day with cousins/aunts and uncles; trips to Disneyland with his children and grandchildren; and trips to Reno with his former brother-in laws and family gatherings on other holidays. He especially enjoyed Christmas.
Lauren is survived by four children and his grandchildren - Kayla Preble; Dominic Jenkins; Andy Mullins; Lyla Drake; Cooper Drake; and step-grandchildren - Michelle, Kenny, and David Mullins; Lola Rumsey and Cash Robinson.
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