Eugene Jenkins, age 93 of Monroe, passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in his home.
Born on November 15, 1930 in Clinton, TN, Gene was the son of the late A.D. and Dona Jenkins. Already a member of the Tennessee National Guard when he graduated from Clinton High School in 1950, he went directly into the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Unfortunately, due to family hardship when his father died, Gene was honorably discharged in November of 1951.
In August of 1955, Gene came North looking for work. He stopped in Monroe and was quickly hired by Consolidated Paper Company. It was here that he met and dated Madeline M. Mignano. When they decided to marry, they traveled to Knoxville, TN and were wed on the 4th of July, 1956. Sadly, she passed on March 17, 2017 after 60+ years of marriage.
Gene later was employed briefly by General Motors Hydramatic Plant in Toledo and then by Monsanto Chemical Company, retiring from there after 30 years of employment on June 1, 1989.
Gene was a member of Kiwanis of Monroe, Floral City Model A’s Car Club, and the Monsanto Quarter Century Club. His hobbies included volunteering, antique cars, yard chores, and in his youth, quarter-mile dirt track stock car racing. Other enjoyments included family travels to the Smoky Mountains at least once a year to visit family and friends and in retirement, the 48 states and Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Gene is survived by three children, Jenise (Kurt) Steinman of Monroe, Julie Christensen (Ed Biniecki) of Monroe, and Johnnie Jenkins of LaSalle, MI; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and wife, Gene was preceded in death by an infant son, Eugene, JR., grandson, Dane Christensen, and 14 siblings. Coincidental-ly, his twin sister Emajean died on the same date 45 years previously.
Family and friends may visit from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Apr. 24th at Bacarella Funeral Home where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday. Rev. George Fountain will officiate followed by interment at St. Joseph Cemetery with military honors provided by Monroe VFW Post 1138.
For anyone wanting to make a donation in memory of Gene, the family recommends supporting Kiwanis of Monroe.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at
www.bacarellafuneralhome.com.
