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Jake was born on September 30, 1970 in Rockdale, Texas to Kirby Dan and Dorothy Faye Jenkins, who also passed away on Sunday March 27, 2011. He married Rhonda Smith on December 14, 1996 in Spur, Texas.
Jake Jenkins graduated from Rockdale High School in 1989. He graduated from South Plains College in 1992, studying Bluegrass music, specializing in the Banjo. In his studies he learned instrument making and became a Certified Luthier. He worked at Collings guitars in Austin, TX from 1993 - until 1996 making guitars, and traveling part time with the band Karl Shifflett and Big Country. He began traveling with the band full time in 1996. During, that time he wrote and recorded "Worries on my Mind", which became Number #1 on the Bluegrass charts as well as in the TOP TEN on the Texas Music Charts once released. Jake went on to write numerous other songs such as "Cold, Cold Love" and "Turn Around" that reached Top honors on the Bluegrass charts. Among Jakes numerous talents and achievements during his short life was his gift of operating equipment for the Lubbock Fire Department and being a musician for Hickory Hill band until his death.
Jake began his musical career at a very young age (3 or 4) singing at family get-togethers. He wanted an auto harp after his 5th grade music teacher encouraged him to practice his singing with a musical instrument. A few trips to the music store and after father Dan saw the price tag of an auto harp it was decided that Dad would make him a musical instrument. The choices were a guitar or Banjo. Jake chose a banjo. His father Dan made the banjo from Walnut, buckskin, and a cow horn. His mother, Dorothy, was a huge influence with Jake�s music, an accomplished pianist and music instructor herself. Jake has become known and recognized as an accomplished musician in Bluegrass music, mastering the Banjo and playing the guitar, mandolin, string base and just about any other instrument with strings.
Jake was an avid outdoorsman, and a hunting guide on the pitchfork ranch, recently allowing his client to bag a Ranch Record Trophy mule deer. He loved boating, hunting, fishing, gardening and repairing vintage trucks and recreational vehicles. His absolute outdoor passion was flying. There was not a day that went by that he was not flying or tinkering with his Stinson 108.
Jake loved the camaraderie and the excitement involved in the brotherhood of the Lubbock Fire Department, but perhaps the greatest accomplishment of all was his family. He was a devoted husband to Rhonda, and absolutely adored his three children Eli Jackson age 9, Maggie Marie age 7, and Ella Rose age 5. He also survived by one brother, Jason Jenkins of Brenham, Texas. He was a member of the Roaring Springs Church of Christ.
© courtesy of Campbell Funeral Home
Funeral set for today for Jake Jenkins
Funeral services for a Lubbock firefighter who died in a weekend plane crash will take place this afternoon in Spur.
Jake Jenkins, 40, was the pilot and owner of a 1946 Stinson 108 that crashed in a field about five miles northwest of Dickens early Sunday morning.
He and his parents � Kirby Dan Jenkins, 71, and Dorothy Jenkins, 68, both of Rockdale � died in the crash.
The funeral will be at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church located at 120 West Second St. in Spur. Interment will follow at the Dickens cemetery.
Lubbock Avalanche Journal, Thursday, March 30, 2011
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