Martin Glen Jenkins

Martin Glen Jenkins, 63, of Arizona City, passed away October 26, 2019. Preceded in death by his parents Glen L. and Jean C. Jenkins. Beloved husband of Robin Jenkins; devoted father of Robert Martin Jenkins of FL, Richard Dale Jenkins of Tucson, Michael David Jenkins of CA, and Elizabeth Anne Jenkins of Tucson. Dear brother of Kathryn Jenkins of Utah. Cherished grandfather of 3 grandchildren.
Martin was born January 7, 1956, in Provo, Utah, to Glen L. and Jean R. Jenkins. He grew up in Orem, Utah, where he played Little League baseball and football. He attended Westmore Elementary School, Lincoln Jr. High School, and graduated from Orem High School, where he was an excellent student as well as a championship debater. He was an enthusiastic and active member of the Boy Scouts of America, where he always went to Scout camp and through which he earned dozens of merit badges before earning his Eagle Scout Award at the age of thirteen. The friendships he made during his childhood have endured, and he often remarked at how lucky he was to grow up where he did among the people he loved.
A talented golfer, Martin won a specialized scholarship and was given private lessons from Johnny Miller. He loved the sport and was thrilled to settle into his home in Arizona on the edge of a golf course. He loved playing with his sons and his beloved Uncle Richard.
He attended the University of Utah, where he was a respected member of the university’s debate team, and he remained a proud Ute throughout the rest of his life. He made many lifelong friends at the U, some of whom he visited with just a week before his death. During the summer following his junior year, he was hired as a part-time clerk at 7-11. He was rapidly promoted to full-time clerk, then store manager, then district manager, a job he held and loved for years.
His work at 7-11 launched his career in retail management. He later served as regional manager for Golden Corral and ended his career as a regional director for Flying J Travel Plazas, managing their plazas throughout the states of Utah and Arizona and from Albuquerque to Palm Springs. In all three of his career positions, he grew to love the people with whom he worked and has enjoyed lifelong associations with many of them.
Martin loved, a lot. He loved sports-as anyone nearby could attest, when he tried to help the coaches and players with advice during football games. He loved history, spent hours watching documentaries, and always kept up with political and current events. He always said that he might be the last person to still get a regular newspaper, and he read it cover to cover every day.
Martin was an active member of the Democratic Party, a member of the ACLU and NAACP, and donated to charities supporting animal welfare and environmental protection. His character was such that when he saw that something needed help or needed fixing, he took steps to make things better.
Most of all, Martin loved his friends and his family. He had a rare generosity of spirit. When he considered you "his," his arms reached out to protect you and to offer help whenever needed. He was always so proud of his children, and he loved his wife more than words can express.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a public visitation and celebration of life on 1:00 PM Saturday, November 2, at the J. Warren Gardens Chapel, 525 N. Peart Rd., Casa Grande.