Owen Rodman Jenkins passed from this life November 28, 2014.  He was born February 26, 1928, son of Marvin and Nellie Rodman Jenkins on a farm near Dorchester in Grayson County, Texas.  He graduatd from Howe High School in 1945.  He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1946 and served in the Naval Hospital Corps until February 1948, achieving the rank of Third Class Pharmacist Mate.
After his service in the Navy, Owen used his GI bill to further his education at Austin College and then transferred to Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Education.  While attending Austin College he met his future wife, Bessie Louise Gilliam.  They were married in Bells, Texas on September 6. 1952 as the first couple to be married at the new building of the First Methodist Church.  They celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in September 2014.
Owen began his career in education at Boswell, Oklahoma as a mathematics teacher in Boswell Public Schools in 1951.  In 1952 he joined the staff at Maysville Public Schools where he taught mathematics and science as well as serving as principal of the junior high school.  He left teaching for 3 years to work for Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Co., but then decided to return to the classroom and the work he most enjoyed.  Upon returning to the classroom, he also decided to continue pursuing his education and completed his Master of Education Degree from the University of Oklahoma in July 1960.  In July 1962, Owen became Superintendent of Schools in Wiley, Colorado.  He served 3 years in that capacity, and then decided to return to the University of Oklahoma as a doctoral student, where he completed his Doctor of Education degree in February 1970.  In July 1970 he joined the administrative staff at El Reno Junior College, now Redlands Community College.  During his tenure there he served as Academic Dean, Dean of the Evening College and Dean of Students.  He officially retired from the college in 1990 but continued teaching as an adjunct professor of mathematics for 14 years.  Owen was affectionately known by his students there as "Dr. O" and he thoroughly enjoyed counseling, teaching and advising them.
In addition to his love of teaching, Owen was a very active member of the Methodist churches in the many communities in which he lived, beginning with Maysville Methodist Church and ending with the Wesley United Methodist Church of El Reno.  He was a member of the Methodist Men, the Stephen Ministry, the Lighthouse Sunday School Class, and helped with the youth program for several years.
Owen belonged to the Kiwanis Club for 44 years, served as treasurer and president of Canadian County Retired Educators Association, treasurer of Redlands Community College Alumni Association, and Vice Chairman of Canadian County Red Cross Board.
Among his many interests, Owen enjoyed traveling, especially to visit family and friends, but also to see new territory.  He and Bessie were able to travel to all 50 states and to visit Mexico, Canada and 13 European countries.  He also loved OU football, the OKC Thunder, and horse racing.
The most important thing in Owen's life was his love: love of God, family, friends, and students.  His wife, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and in-law, all knew that he loved them deeply, and they returned that love bountifully.
He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Marvina Tate.
He is survived by his wife; daughter, Donna Jenkins Anderson of Oklahoma City, son, Stephen Jenkins and wife, Cindy, of Denver; grandson, Jeremy Jenkins and wife, Joy, of Tulsa; grandson, Jarrod Rodman Jenkins of Dallas; granddaughter, Rachel Jenkins of Denver; brother, Ronald Jenkins and wife, Eloise, of Frisco, Texas; sister, Orwilda Armstrong and husband, Bob, of Panama City, Florida; sister, Linda Taylor of Sherman; sisters-in-law Frances Gilliam of Bells, Texas; and Frances Gilliam Huffman of Newark, Ohio; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Funeral services provided by Wilson Funeral Home were held Saturday morning, December 6 at Wesley United Methodist Church, El Reno with Rev. Barry Bennett presiding.  Graveside services were held at Virginia Point Methodist Church in Bells, Texas with Rev. Randy Jenkins presiding.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Wesley United Methodist Church or The Doctors Owen and Bess Jenkins Endowed Scholarship at Redlands Community College, 1300 Country Club Road, El Reno.

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