Kenneth James Jenkins

Kenneth James Jenkins, 85, of Gastonia passed away March 10, 2024, at CaroMont Regional Medical Center.  He was born in Graham County, NC on August 18, 1938, a son of the late Willie Jenkins and Edna Johnson Jenkins.

"Ken" worked for Wix Corporation over 20 years and then for Freightliner as a tool and die maker for over 22 years before retiring.  Ken was a family man and loved spending time with his family.  When his children were small, he loved boating.  They would go every Sunday to Lake Wylie and he would have fun teaching all our childhood friends how to ski.  He also loved racing go-karts. The neighborhood boys would often come to Ken for help building their go-karts and thought of him as their own father. He enjoyed and loved dirt-track racing, but NASCAR racing was a favorite sport for Ken to watch and attend.  As his children became adults and had children, he wanted to do the same thing for them.  He loved spending summers going to Fontana Lake and enjoyed fishing, boating, and skiing there as well.  And we made many fun memories that we will have forever.  At 85, Ken still rode his jet ski.  

Ken is survived by his daughter, Marcia Erpenbeck (Bill) of Ft. Myers, FL; son, Marvin Jenkins of Gastonia, NC; grandchildren, Tony Erpenbeck (Paige) of Ft. Myers, FL, Amanda Latimer (David) of Maryland, and Matthew Erpenbeck (Angie) of Ft. Myers, FL; great-grandchildren, Lorelai, Charlotte, Dylan, Riley, Grayson and Wyatt; brother-in-law and wife, Hardie Lequire (Lee); and brother, Hubert Jenkins of Gastonia, NC.

There will be a visitation at McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM.

Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, March 15, 2024, at Lower Sawyers Creek Cemetery.  The Reverend G.D. Phillips will officiate.

Condolence messages may be sent online at mcleanfuneral.com and www.townson-smithfuneralhome.com.

McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia, NC and Townson-Smith Funeral Home in Robbinsville, NC is honored to be serving the Jenkins family.