Roll Call Tribute

Published in El Paso Times on May 1, 2019

Samuel Leroy Jenkins
Samuel Leroy Jenkins

El Paso - Samuel L. (Sam) Jenkins was born in Louisville, KY on June 14, 1924. He moved to El Paso, TX in 1927 with his parents, Albert P. and Ella Magruder Jenkins. He attended Houston Elementary, Austin High School, UTEP, and Texas A&M University, graduating from A&M in 1949.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the 99th Infantry Division at Lanzerath, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star with Valor.

In 1947, he married the love of his life, Nancy Duncan of Ysleta, Texas. They raised their three children in the Rosedale neighborhood of El Paso's lower valley.

Sam worked in the insurance claims business for 45 years, was a volunteer with the Sun Bowl Association from 1971 through 2002. He served as President of the Association in 1985 and was Executive Director from 1986 through 1989. He was elected to the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985.

He was a longtime member of the Vista Ysleta United Methodist Church and served in various capacities through the years.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Nancy Duncan Jenkins of El Paso, TX; children, Jane Anne Sellars and her husband, John, of Frisco, TX; Nancy Leigh Jenkins of Silver City, NM; Jeffrey Samuel Jenkins and his wife, Tonya, of Centennial, CO; grandchildren, Paul Truitt, Rebecca Truitt, Erin Sellars, Evelyn Jenkins and Jacob Jenkins.

The funeral is 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 3, at Funeraria del Angel, Restlawn (formerly Kaster-Maxon & Futrell Funeral Home), 8817 Dyer St., El Paso, TX 79904. Reception and luncheon will follow. Burial with military honors is 2:30 p.m.at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Visitation is Thursday, May 2, 5 to 7:00 p.m., at Funeraria del Angel, Restlawn (see address above).

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Vista Ysleta United Methodist Church, 11860 Rojas Dr., El Paso, TX 79936, or to The Lettermen's Association, Texas A&M University, P. O. Box 5346, College Station, TX 77844.



Funeral Home
Funeraria del Angel - Restlawn
8817 Dyer El Paso, TX 79904
(915) 751-1287
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Funeraria del Angel Restlawn obituary
El Paso, TX
915-751-1287

Samuel L. Jenkins
JUNE 14, 1924 – APRIL 26, 2019

Samuel L. Jenkins was born on June 14, 1924 and passed away on April 26, 2019.

FAMILY
Nancy Duncan Jenkins, Wife
Jeffrey S. Jenkins, Son
Jane A. Sellars, Daughter
Leigh Jenkins Truitt, Daughter


Services
2
MAY
Visitation
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

FUNERARIA DEL ANGEL RESTLAWN
8817 Dyer St
El Paso, TX 79904


3
MAY
Funeral Service
11:00 am

FUNERARIA DEL ANGEL RESTLAWN
8817 Dyer St
El Paso, TX 79904


3
MAY
Committal Service
FT BLISS NATIONAL CEMETERY

Ft Bliss, TX
Mr. Jenkins also leaves behind 5 grandchildren to cherish his memory.

Biography
Samuel L. (Sam) Jenkins was born in Louisville, Kentucky on June 14, 1924. He moved to El Paso, Texas in 1927 with his parents, Albert P. and Ella Magruder Jenkins. He attended Houston Elementary, Austin High School, Texas College of Mines (the University of Texas-El Paso) and Texas Agricultural & Mechanical College (Texas A&M University), graduating from A&M in 1949. He earned three letters in basketball at Austin High, one at TCM and three at A&M. He was elected captain of the team at all three institutions.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the Intelligence and Reconnaissance platoon of the 394th Regiment, 99th Infantry Division at Lanzerath, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944. This highly decorated platoon was the only recipient of the Presidential Unit Citation for a platoon-sized unit. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor Device, the Combat Infantry Badge, and numerous other military awards.
In 1947, he married the love of his life, Nancy Duncan of Ysleta, Texas. They raised their three children in the Rosedale neighborhood of El Paso’s lower valley. Sam worked in the insurance claims business for 45 years and served as a volunteer with the Sun Bowl Association from 1971 through 2002. As a member of the team selection committee, he assisted in bringing to El Paso some outstanding football teams for the annual event. He served as President of the Association in 1985 and was Executive Director from 1986 through 1989. He was elected to the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985. He was a longtime member of the Vista Ysleta United Methodist Church and served in various capacities through the years.
Sam is survived by his wife of 72 years, Nancy Duncan Jenkins of El Paso, TX; children, Jane Anne Sellars and her husband, John, of Frisco, TX; Nancy Leigh Jenkins of Silver City, NM; Jeffrey Samuel Jenkins and his wife, Tonya, of Centennial, CO; grandchildren, Paul Truitt, Rebecca Truitt, Erin Sellars, Evelyn Jenkins and Jacob Jenkins; cousin, Katy Magruder McIntyre and her husband, James, of El Paso, TX; nieces, Terri DeLoach and her husband, Wayne, of Statesboro, GA, and Judy Redding of Statesboro, GA. Sam is preceded in death by his brother, Mervyn Magruder Jenkins and his wife, Mary Ida Jenkins; and nieces Jan Jenkins and Cheryl Taylor.
The funeral is 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 3, at Funeraria Del Angel Restlawn (formerly Kaster-Maxon & Futrell Funeral Home), 8817 Dyer St., El Paso, TX 79904. Reception and luncheon will follow. Burial with military honors is 2:30 p.m. at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. A visitation will take place Thursday evening, May 2 from 5:00-9:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Vista Ysleta United Methodist Church, 11860 Rojas Dr., El Paso, TX 79936, or to The Lettermen's Association, Texas A&M University, P. O. Box 5346, College Station, TX 77844.