Jenkins, Jr., Charles E.

Avon: Passed away at home at the age of 62 in Avon, New York, on August 12, 2016.
Born on June 6, 1954 in Clarksville, Tennessee, Charles graduated from East Tennessee State with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and a minor in Speech in 1976. Charles was a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and a reporter for the college newspaper, The East Tennessean. After college, Charles was the founder and publisher of The Radiance, a community monthly newspaper in Chattanooga, Tennessee that had the warm motto, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.” On June 3, 1979, Charles married the love of his life, Katrina Gaither where they resided in Chattanooga, Tennessee for four months until an opportunity opened up with The Tennessean, a newspaper in Nashville, Tennessee in advertising sales. It was here that his 29-year career with the Gannett Company began. In 1987 Charles became Retail Territory Manager for the Des Moines Register in Des Moines, Iowa. In 1991 Charles started working at the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle in Rochester, New York which spanned 18 years and consisted of four different positions. Charles’ newspaper journey continued with the Morning Call in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 2010 where he held two different positions throughout his four years there.

He will be remembered for his love of sports, in particular basketball and the Louisville Cardinals (Go Cards!). He was also an avid writer, enjoyed working with computers and tablets, being creative with his hands and watching old Westerns. He was a family man who was always there when needed and was a religious man who valued his relationship with God.

He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years Katrina Jenkins, son Trey Jenkins of Brooklyn, NY, sisters Charliese (George) King of Carrollton, TX, Mary Jenkins of Nashville, TN, Brother Reverend Frederick (Adrienne) Jenkins Sr. of Mount Juliet, TN, mother-in-law, Sarah Gaither of Covington, GA, and several nieces and nephews. Charles was predeceased by his parents Charles and Lula Jenkins Sr.

Family and friends are invited to call Thursday 3-6pm at the Stephenson-Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 350 Genesee Street, Avon. Services and interment will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the charity Zero – The End of Prostate Cancer. Mailed donations can be sent to the following address: Zero – The End of Prostate Cancer 515 King Street, Suite 420 Alexandria, VA 22314. Please include a note indicating you will like for your donation to go towards the Charles E. Jenkins, Jr. fundraiser.