George P. Jenkins, Sr.George P. Jenkins, Sr., was born on March 21, 1924, in Morristown, NJ. His parents were Samuel B. and Anna P. Jenkins. He graduated from Morristown High School in 1942. The following year, he entered the
U.S. Navy and attained a rank of Ship's Cook, First Class. He was honorably discharged in 1945. On April 4, 1947, Jenkins married Beatrice M. Robinson. The couple had three children, George Jr., Bruce Rodney, and Brenda Marie. In March 1951, Jenkins joined the Morristown Police Department (MPD) where he served for more than 30 years before retiring as Detective Lieutenant. MPD was the first in the county to establish a Community Service Unit and Jenkins was the first to head the detail that initially was located on the second floor of the Church of the Redeemer and later moved to the firehouse on speedwell Avenue. Jenkins believed that effective policing depended on officers being involved in the community. His commitment was evident by his active memberships with the American Red Cross, the Fair Housing Council, the Urban League, the NAACP, the American Cancer Society, and others. He was a member of the Morris County Blue Coats, an organization of
police officers and he served as President.He and his first wife, the late Councilwoman Beatrice M. Jenkins, created a youth group called The YACS, Young American Cancer Society that arranged newspaper drives and donated proceeds to the charity. He was a member of the Church of the Redeemer and served as a junior and senior warden, and a member of the choir. In 1960 he co-founded the A & B Cleaning Service, which specialized in office cleaning, house cleaning and floor waxing. During his years as a policeman he received many commendations and several awards. One most notably was the Valor award given by the State of New Jersey for rescuing a woman from a burning building. Years later on March 20, 2004, Jenkins was presented a key to the city by the Mayor and it was declared George Jenkins Day.Jenkins married Jessie Alston of Morristown, NJ in 1989. The couple resided in Orlando, FL, where they were active members of St. Mary of the Angels Episcopal Church. Prior to a long-term illness, Jenkins served as a warden and sexton and member of the choir. He is survived by his wife Jessie; children George P. Jenkins, Jr. of Morris Plains, NJ, Bruce and Brenda Jenkins of Charlotte, NC; a daughter-in-law, Lisa Jenkins, and two grandchildren, Janaya and Charles. Other survivors include three sisters, Charlotte, Frances, and Mickey; two brothers, Ralph and Rudolph; stepchildren, grandchildren, nephews and cousins. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 14, at St. Mary of the Angels Episcopal Church, 6316 Matchett Road, Orlando, FL.
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