James Darrell Jenkins passed away on January 17, 2025, at the age of 91. He had a goal to make it to 90, and in his own true fashion, he went above and beyond. While most of his friends and family knew him as Darrell or J.D., he spent the last of his years wishing to be called "James". He shared that his mom called him Darrell because she didn't like the sound of James. It was his opinion that she was backwards about that. So, James it is.

James graced this planet on September 4, 1933. He was born to Everett and Mary Madeline Jenkins in West Virginia. James grew up with brothers Warner and Edward Harold Jenkins. When asked what he got in the most trouble for as a kid, he sweetly replied that he had to sit on the bench during a basketball game in high school because he was late for the travel bus. Why was he late, you ask? Well, he was at the barber making sure his hair was clean cut.

James proudly served in the United States Army. He was a Korean War veteran and had many fond memories of studying and becoming fluent in Mandarin Chinese. He shared a story about how his Chinese name (given to him by his teacher) roughly translated into "Short Jenkins". If you knew him, you knew how silly that was. If you knew him, you would also know how much he loved that. As a civilian he often used what he learned to communicate with staff at local Chinese restaurants. It was a thrill to dine with him through the years and see how that language was always fresh in his mind.

James was married to Joan Hines in 1956, and they resided in Medina, Ohio. James loved to tell the story about how he had originally called to date Joan's sister, Deloris, but she was busy. Joan stated that she "didn't have anything to do" so they went out instead! It all worked out the way it should have. James and Joan spent their time together raising their two sons, Jeffrey and Gregory. Time on the lake, water skiing and fishing, was always a highlight. Inevitably Joan would look at James and state, "I wonder what the poor people are doing today." To which he would lovingly reply, "They're probably sitting on their boat drinking a Michelob." We like to imagine that is exactly where he is right now.

Throughout his life, James was a huge part of Medina County. He offered his time and auctioning expertise for multiple Sheriff's auctions and Livestock auctions at the county fair. He also enjoyed being a member of the Medina Rotary Club. Wherever he went in town, whether it was Buehler's Market or Taco Bell, they knew him by name and greeted him as if he were the mayor. You could always recognize his home on Lafayette Road as the house with the silhouette of a man leaning against that tree in the front yard right across from the Medina County Fairground entrance. It was at that home in Medina where many Euchre tournaments, dice games, holiday meals, weekends watching Tiger Woods in his Sunday red, or paying witness to our beloved Cleveland Browns losing again took place. If you were lucky enough to find a seat on that antique Camel Back Sofa in front of the window, you were in for a treat as James cozied up in his Lazy Boy with his blanket barely long enough to cover his feet.

In the final years of his life, James was lucky enough to have in-home care provided by his Grandson, Jeremy Jenkins. Here they spent the afternoons with the T.V. up way too loud or going out to grab a bite to eat together. During this time, when there were visitors, James would be quick to pop up and scoot around the house just to show off. His ability to make people laugh and feel joy never once waned. Eventually time got the best of him, and he made the move to Medina Meadows where he charmed all the caregivers, and where they loved him when his family couldn't be there to do so. Even when his body began to fail him, James kept a sound mind, positive attitude, and was always ready to be a little mischievous. The family of James would like to extend gratitude to the Medina Meadows employees that treated him like family. As we learn to live in a world without James Darrell Jenkins, let us remember how important it is to be kind, bring joy, and to never be afraid to push yourself a little farther than you thought possible.

Always a gentleman.

Always giving.

You made a life worth living.

We love you more than you understand.

Rest in Peace, Young Man

The family will receive friends from 4-7:00 pm, Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Waite Funeral Home, 765 N. Court St., Medina, OH 44256.  A private family service will be held at Spring Grove Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with his beloved wife, Joan.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.waitefuneralhome.com.