Thurman Jenkins

HERMON - Thurman P. Jenkins Jr., 75, of Hermon, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2014 at a Bangor Healthcare facility after a long period of declining health. He was born July 6, 1938 at the family home on Ohio St. in Bangor, the son of Thurman P. Jenkins Sr. and Marjorie (Cunningham) Jenkins. He enjoyed his childhood roaming through the fields surrounding their home with his brother Ronald, sisters Patty, Mary and Marion. Thurman attended the Bangor Schools, graduating from Bangor High School in 1956. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1961, serving in Korea with an exemplary record of service; he earned the qualification of sharpshooter (rifle) status and was honorably discharged in 1965. Thurman returned to the Bangor area, working for Murray Motormart before beginning his career at Sears Roebuck for 37 years as Service manager and Head front end alignment mechanic before retiring due to declining health. He was proud of this accomplishment and valued an honest day’s work. Thurman loved his farm in Hermon; many days and hours were spent caring for his beautiful garden and animals. He found great peace and satisfaction in the time he spent there. His home was a gathering spot for friends and family get-togethers with many happy memories. Thurman had many adventures with his cousin, Richard Cunningham from East Hartford, Connecticut, that he loved as a brother. Thurman enjoyed great friendship with Larry Smith, the Hatch, Langley and Richards’s families from the neighborhood. He is survived by his daughters, Ann Jenkins-Bull and Heidi Shawley, both of Eddington, grandchildren Amanda Rodenbeck, Canon City, Colorado, Kyle Bull and Noah Shawley both of Eddington, Brother Ronald Jenkins and wife Gloria, of Eddington, Sisters Marion Weston and husband Robert, Mary Pace of Glenburn, and special nephew Raymond Ormsby Jr. of Hermon and niece Tammy (Ormsby) Nelson of Levant, several other nieces, nephews, cousins and two great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, Thurman Sr. in 1984, Marjorie in 1992, and sister Patricia Ormsby in 2005. Thurman’s exceptional love of farming and animals gave him hard work but great pride and accomplishment. He had a great love for his dogs, Jethro, Grover Cleveland, and Grover II that provided countless hours of companionship.
Relatives and friends our welcome to call 5-7 PM Wednesday March 5, 2014 at the Brewer Chapel of Brookings-Smith 55 South Main St. Brewer, where funeral services will be held 1 PM Thursday March 6, 2014 with the Rev. Grace Bartlett officiating. Interment with military honors will immediately follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, Bangor. Those who wish to remember Thurman in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Bangor Humane Society 693 Mount Hope Ave. Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com

Where I have gone I am not so small.
My soul is as wide as the world is tall.
I have gone to answer the call, the call
Of the One who takes care of us all.
Wherever you look, you will find me each day,
In the green field of clover or freshly mown hay,
it was time for me to go, though you wanted me to stay.
To you, I'm gone, But I'm not alone-
I’m here on my farm, I’m finally at home.