James "Jim" Edward Jenkins

Jim Jenkins of Granville, Ohio passed away on April 5, 2024, surrounded by loved ones at the age of 74 following his valiant battle with lung cancer.

Born James Edward Jenkins in 1949 to Lois and Hal Jenkins, Jim grew up in Granville participating in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Order of the Arrow. In his teens, Jim worked at his father’s service stations and obtained a foundation in automotive mechanics at Heath Vocational School. He started his career turning wrenches for his father, then sold wrenches for Snap-On Tools which led to an enriching career that took him and his family across the East coast. In 1994 Jim returned to Granville and acquired his father’s Sunoco station on routes 37 and 16. He sold the station and automotive shop by 2006, returning to Snap-On, where he retired in 2017 after 42 years. Jim loved work and continued taking small jobs after retirement, driving for Meals on Wheels, and working at a chicken farm, for which his friends would later nickname him the Chicken Tender.

Jim loved adventures and diverse interests with his wife Ann, who he married in 1973. After retirement Jim and Ann joined the Eagle Wings Club and SCRC, traveling in warm months on their Goldwing trike with many of their beloved friends. Jim was a member and past president of Kiwanis Club of Granville. He and Ann were also dedicated members of Newark Ohio Maennerchor. He led a rich and fulfilling life, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and cherished relationships. He was proud of 51 years of sobriety, embracing the adage, “Rule #1: Thou shalt not B.S. thyself.”

Jim is preceded in death by his father Harold ‘Hal’ Jenkins, his mother Lois Ann James Jenkins Cujas, and his stepfather J.D. Cujas. He is survived by his loving wife of over 50 years, Ann (Swetnam) Jenkins, his children Jody (Jeff) Field, Jackie (Camden) Collins, Jay Jenkins, and Aryle Swetnam (Evan Riley), nine grandchildren, Courtney Taylor, Sarah Field, Lorelai Taylor, CJ Collins, Jimmy Jenkins, AJ Collins, Johnny Jenkins, Jerry Jenkins, and Jesse Jenkins, Christian Field and A.J. Field, three sisters Judy (John) Kempton, Joyce (Ed) Shanahorn, and Joni (Joe) Campbell, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Jim would like to specially acknowledge his friends for life John Hitchcock, Butch and Janet Curtis, Jim Weaver, Dayle and Connie Foster, Rick and Melody Day, and Bob and Patty Day.   He always said that to find one true friend in this life is to be blessed. He was deeply blessed with these and more, and for that he is grateful.

For those preferring donations to remember Jim, please consider contributions to Newark Maennerchor or Granville Kiwanis Club.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 & 6-8 PM Thursday April 11, 2024, at McPeek Hoekstra Hoskinson Funeral Home, 133 S. Prospect Street, Granville where funeral services will be held at 10 AM Friday, April 12, 2024. Burial immediately following at Homer Cemetery.

McPeek Hoekstra Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Jim and his family.  Please visit www.McPeekHoekstra.com to share a special memory or to leave a message of condolence for the family.