Marvin James Jenkins

Marvin James Jenkins, 65 of Gastonia, NC passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in Fort Myers, FL while visiting his family.

He was the son of the late Kenneth and Nina Lequire Jenkins. He is survived by his sister Marcia Erpenbeck and husband Bill of Fort Myers, FL as well his nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Marvin grew up with a love for racing, motorcycles and the mountains and lakes of Graham County. He spent many years racing go carts on the asphalt at Daytona International Speedway as well as racing cars on dirt tracks all around the south. He was an avid Nascar fan and when he wasn’t racing on the track himself, he enjoyed spending time at the track watching others race.

He retired after a career of building trucks for Freightliner to enjoy spending more time on Fontana Lake with his family.

Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 21, 2026, in the Lower Sawyers Creek Cemetery. The Reverend Daniel Stewart will officiate. Townson-Smith Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Jenkins Family.