John Jenkin '92
July 6, 2021 11:30 AM
updated: July 6, 2021 11:37 AM
John David Jenkin
March, 18, 1952 - July, 2, 2021
On Friday, July, 2, 2021, John David Jenkin, loving husband, passed away at the age of 69, after a short illness.
John was born on March, 18, 1952, in Mexico City, Mexico, to John Philip (Phil) and Rollande Jenkin. He met and married the love of his life, Joyce F. Blasi, while earning a masters degree at Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, New Mexico. Afterwards,
they relocated to Texas, where he completed his PhD from Texas A&M University in College Station in 1992. He taught at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville before accepting a position at Blinn College, Bryan, in 1997, where he taught until his retirement
in 2018.
John loved teaching and all the students that came into his classes and his life. He was dedicated to their success both inside and outside the classroom. He was blessed with genuine curiosity and wonder for the world around him, and was eager to share that
with others. He was proud of his role in re-invigorating the Photography Club at Blinn College, and enjoyed engaging the students’ creative side, as well as indulging in his own. Another of his favorite creative pastimes was searching out and collecting all
types and kinds of wood, which he later lovingly hand-crafted into pen and pencil sets as gifts for friends and family. He was a fantastic cook, and will be especially remembered for delicious turkeys and mounds of mashed potatoes shared at more than 30 years
of communal Thanksgivings. He will always be remembered as a kind, caring, and thoughtful man, with a warm and ready smile and a compassionate heart.
John was preceded in death by his father, Phil, and his mother, Rollande.
He is survived by his wife, best friend, and companion, Joyce. He is also survived by his sister Madeleine, brothers Philip and Andrew, several nieces and nephews, his stepson, Brian, and his beloved sons of the heart, Michael “Miquelito” Morpurgo and Chauncy
Anderson, as well as a host of long-time friends.
Dates and times for visitation and services are pending.