Leonard E. Jenkins

Leonard E. Jenkins, 89 of Pueblo West, formerly of La Junta, passed away on Saturday, August 8, 2009 at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo. Visitation will be Tuesday, August 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel. Following the visitation, graveside services will be at Fairview Cemetery with Rev. Calvin Kennedy of the Living Way Church in La Junta officiating.
He was born June 18, 1920, to John S. & Georgia (Higgins) Jenkins on a farm east of Cheraw. Leonard attended school in Cheraw through the 6th grade; 7th & 8th grade at Newdale; graduating from Swink High School in 1938. He married Dorothy Louise Waite in Raton, New Mexico on June 21, 1941, she passed away April 21, 2001.
Leonard spent a short time in the Army Air Corps and received a medical discharge due to a pendicitis. After returning from the Army Leonard worked for Montgomery Ward in La Junta from 1941-1942. When their first daughter Judith Ann was an infant the family lived at “The Village” (now Colorado Boys Ranch) and Leonard worked for a soda bottling plant in La Junta. He managed a Shamrock Station in La Junta prior to being the manager at Mid-Town Motel from 1956-1959. In 1959 Leonard worked at Fot Lyon Veterans Administration Medical Center as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, retiring in 1982. Leonard was also a locksmith.
Leonard’s philosophies on life – work hard, be thankful, and save some money. His priorities were to care and provide for his family.
In his later years after moving to Pueblo, his wife Louise, broke her hip and Leonard cared for her around the clock; assuming all household duties. Later Louise suffered a heart attack and Leonard was physically unable to care for her. Placing Louise in a nursing home nearly broke his spirit, but he remained faithfully devoted and rarely missed a day to see her. They were longtime members of the First Christian Church of La Junta. He was the head of the family and represented strength and endurance.
He is survived by his daughters, Judith Ann Bassett, Donna Faye (Dan) Miller, and Alice Jean (Bill) Robinson; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 59 years, Dorothy Louise Waite Jenkins; siblings, Anna Lou Jenkins, Ray Jenkins, Marie Jones, Wayne B. Jenkins, Leota Faye Jennings, Jerald R. Jenkins, and James B. Jenkins.
Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.