Ken is survived by his wife of 61 years, Diane E. Jenks (née James). His sons Kenneth Dean Jenks, III (Marcia), G. Scott Jenks (Perry Benson) and his daughters Cynthia Archibald (John), Tamara Jordan (Michael), siblings Karen Pribula (née Holmes), Gary Holmes, Barbara Vlach and Carolyn Campbell. Preceded in death by his son Dennis James Jenks, sister Charlotte Kokitka, parents Ken Jenks, Sr. and Jane Holmes (née Griffin). Ken aka "Papa" has fourteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
In Ken's early years he worked at May Company and Higbee's Department Stores in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. In the early 1960's he moved to TRW and then to Cleveland Precision Industries where he was a master tool and die maker who specialized in high tech materials. He was also a certified navy nuclear inspector.
In his retirement, Ken worked for Scripps Newspaper where he could be found selling subscriptions, telling stories, and sharing a joke and a laugh at Jammin' Jenson and other venues around the Treasure Coast.
Ken was dedicated to helping others and was deeply involved in fraternal organizations. He was a member of Willoughby (OH) Lodge #302 for over 50 years and a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Cleveland. He was also a member and past patron of Willoughby *OH) Chapter #22 Order of the Eastern Star.
Ken enjoyed many sports including camping, fishing, shooting, archery, scuba diving and was a certified scuba instructor. He enjoyed coaching and supporting his children in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, DeMolay, Rainbow Girls, gymnastics, baseball, and football. He was an avid airplane aficionado and military supporter as well as a founding member of the National Navy UDT-Seal Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Most of all Mr. Jenks' house was the house of fun where everyone was welcomed as one of his own. *
"Today you are a guest so I will get you what you want to eat or drink, but after today you are family and if you go hungry or thirsty it is your own fault for not getting it for yourself. Just make yourself at home here.' He treated everyone he met like that. Once you met him, you were instant family." -Karin Wagner Hollis
Following his dream 20 years ago, he and Diane moved to Florida. Ken's walks around the neighborhood with greetings for all became commonplace for the neighbors. They unofficially dubbed him the "Mayor" of the neighborhood.
A visitation will be held on Monday, December 3, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at with a service at 6:30 Aycock Funeral Home in Stuart.
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