John W. Jenkins passed away on Wednesday June 10, 2026 in East Wenatchee Washington. He was born on February 2, 1942 to Charles Boyd and Mary Elizabeth Jenkins in Wichita, KS. The family lived in Wichita until John was 4 1/2 years old when the family moved to La Junta Colorado, and later at age 7 moved to Aurora Colorado for his father’s work in construction. John was dedicated to the Lord at age 3, he proved to be a very inquisitive child taking his mother’s sewing machine apart, various door knobs and at the age of 12 built his own bicycle with parts he had collected from around the neighborhood. From ages 12 – 15 John helped his dad on evenings and weekends to build the family home in the outskirts of Aurora. John lived in Aurora until going to college at Central Christian College in McPherson KS beginning in 1960. While at Central he met the woman that would become his wife, Marlene Reeves. After finishing his 2-year degree and graduating from Central, John and Marlene were married on June 10th 1962 in LeMars Iowa. Shortly after the wedding, they returned to Aurora CO for the summer. John worked in construction with his dad and Marlene worked in a restaurant. In the fall of 1962, they moved to Greenville Illinois where both finished their last 2 years of college. John was preparing for the ministry and Marlene was studying to become an elementary teacher. Marlene supported John as he went to college full-time graduating in 1964 and Marlene finished shortly after in 1965, while John was pastoring a small Free Methodist church in Coffeen Illinois. After Marlene finished school they moved to Wilmore Kentucky where John attended Asbury Seminary for 3 more years and Marlene taught school. While in High School and College John played baseball and basketball. As a pitcher John was a stand out in both high school and college, playing at both Central College and Greenville College. In April of 2025 John was inducted into the Central College Athletic Hall of Fame for his time there as a pitcher.

Highlights of John’s career in ministry include pastoring Free Methodist churches in Coffeen, Illinois, Hutchinson Kansas, Associate Pastor and School Administrator at Marina Del Ray Free Methodist Church/ Light and Life Christian School in Los Angeles California, Associate Pastor and School Administrator at Phoenix Free Methodist Church/ Light and Life Christian School in Phoenix Arizona, Head Pastor at Pikes Peak Free Methodist Church in Colorado Springs (twice) Assistant Pastor and School Administrator at Auburn Free Methodist Church/Valley Christian School in Auburn Washington and Head Pastor at the Oroville Free Methodist Church in Oroville Washington .John retired in 2003, in all John served in ministry for 36 years.

In retirement, John was a substitute teacher in both Oroville and Tonasket Washington. He loved baseball, softball, woodworking, travel, camping, hiking along with hunting and fishing. John had a love for his wife Marlene, his family, Friends and Mexican food, often a regular at local Mexican restaurants. John really loved their two trips to Alaska, especially the trip with Marlene in the RV.

John is survived by his wife Marlene of 64 years, sister's Jean and Judy and Mary Lou (husband Wayne) children John David (wife Peggy), Patti (husband David), Stephen, and Julee (husband Dustin). Grandchildren: Wesley, Jordan, Krystin (husband Ryan),

Josh (wife Hallie), Kaleb (wife Kylee), Jacob (wife Kali) Rhegan, Landen, Anna, Rebeka, Elijah and Alarie. Great Grandchildren: Ainsley, MacKenzie, Berklee, Storie, Madden, Cooper and two more on the

way.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday June 27th, 2026 1:00PM at the Oroville Free Methodist Church located at 1516 Fir Street Oroville Washington 98844.