Thomas H. Jenkins

Thomas Hugh Jenkins passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2025. He was born in West Branch, MI on September 30th 1950 to Ezra Edgar Jenkins and Ellen Lucille “Judy” Kitchen Jenkins. He was raised in Mio, MI and went to school in Fairview, MI where he graduated and went on to study psychology at Kirtland Community College. Tom was a free spirit who loved to travel all over the country which truck driving allowed him to do. He settled in a small cabin in Alaska for a few years where he worked on the oil rigs, did underwater welding, helped with storm cleanup, and rescued people during floods. He helped build oil rigs, the transport docks, restaurants and various other buildings while living in Alaska. Tom also helped build the Chamber of Commerce in Mio, MI.

Tom moved back to Mio, MI before he met our grandmother in 1996 and they got married on May 8th 2003 and remained married to this day. He happily left his truck driving career to adopt and raise all five of his grandkids. Tom was a proud vigilante and had a 101% tattoo to show for it. Tom had so many stories about his life and experiences, so many they won't fit on here but he was an avid storyteller and loved talking to everyone.

Tom loved the outdoors/wildlife, his animals, motorcycles, trucking, guts frisbee, softball, golf, hunting, fishing, gardening, cooking, writing, talking on his ham radio, panning for gold, making jewelry from silver spoons, and last but not least playing his harmonicas and the spoons. He was so talented in many different aspects and could cook anything you could think of from scratch; we all loved his frito pie and meatloaf especially. He taught us everything he knew to prepare and help us survive on our own. He loved teaching and letting us all join in on his hobbies, he loved that we enjoyed those things too and it made him proud.

Tom is survived by his wife Deborah Kay Jenkins and their children: Erica Kay Kososky (Aaron Kososky), Thomas James Jenkins, Brook Ann Jenkins, Paige Lea Jenkins (Seth Cleeves), and Madison Marie Jenkins (Jesse Yoder Jr.).

Grandchildren: Patricia Lynn Hester, Crystal Lynn Schwartz, Antheia Jessica Kay Schweizer, Brinley Rose Metz, Czarina Kay Kososky, Cooper James Jenkins, Grayson Eli Cleeves and two unborn grandsons due in May of 2026.

Great Grandchildren: Vivian May Peters and Elizabeth Dawn Brown

Tom is preceded in death by: His daughter Dawn Smith, His father Ezra Edgar Jenkins, his mother Ellen Lucille Kitchen Jenkins, His grandparents Thomas A. Kitchen, Ethel M. Kitchen, Hugh E. Jenkins and Goldia Storts Jenkins, his great grandparents Frank Gilmore and Cora Gilmore, William W. Leonard and Mary A. Sloat Leonard

Arrangements by Lashley Funeral Home.