John "Jack" Jenkins

John Ervin “Jack” Jenkins, 90, of Glenwood Ar, left this world on August 16, 2025, probably still wearing his Razorback attire. Born on March 24, 1935 to Henderson and Ora May Orrick Jenkins, Jack lived life with grit, laughter, and enough stories to fill a library (whether they were all true or not, we’ll never know).

Most folks knew him as “Jack,” a nickname his uncles gave him — and once it stuck, it stuck for life. On May 5, 1956, he married the love of his life, Aline Smith Jenkins, and for 56 years she put up with his tall tales, dog swapping, and Razorback obsession.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Aline; brothers Jimmy, Rufus and Bob Jenkins; his son, Johnny Jenkins; son-in-law, LaRay Williamson; and two grandsons, Deric Diggs and Matthew Williamson. No doubt they’ve already got him telling stories in Heaven.

He leaves behind his favorite daughter-in-law, Glenda (Ted) Jenkins Gaither; two daughters, Jackie (Edwin) Williamson and Barbara (Kenneth) Hayslette; his special nephews and niece, Ronald (Tammie) Jenkins, Danny (Lee Ann) Jenkins, and Darlene Barnette; six grandkids, Stacy (Brian) Cowart, Jeremy Williamson, Becky Jenkins Bird, Nicole (Justin) Reid, Kenny (Crystal) Hayslette, and Jessica (Scotty) McCraney; plus 22 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, his brother Tom (Daisy) Jenkins, a pile of nieces and nephews, and his longtime companion, Jessie Fatherree.

Jack was the Razorbacks’ biggest fan, planted in his recliner at least two hours before tipoff — as if the team needed his supervision to play ball. He could out-talk the TV during westerns and still had to catch his daily soap opera fix (he’d claim it was “just on,” but we all know better). His favorite holiday was the 4th of July, when he’d crank homemade ice cream and insist on giving the grandbabies their first bite. And in his younger years, he fancied himself a real cowboy — more John Wayne than John Jenkins, at least in his mind.

He was an avid hunter and raised more beagles and puggles than most people could count. For 22 years, he wrangled the family into his Annual Rock Creek Dog Sale and Swap, proving that if Jack was involved, you were too — like it or not. And if you ever sat with him, you heard stories of his days water skiing, logging, and running a dozer for his brother Tom — stories that might have gotten better with each telling.

Jack will be remembered for his humor, his loyalty to family and friends, his legendary storytelling, and the way he could make everyone feel like part of his circle. His chair may be empty, but the laughter he left behind is going to echo for a long, long time.

Pallbearers are John Brunt, Jeremy Williamson, Kyle Johns, Pj Horn, Terry Diffee, and Todd Richards.

Honorary pallbearers are Tom Jenkins, Trevor Johns, William Carter, Ed Cowart, Johnny Mitchell, and Jimmy Tolleson

Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Smith Family Funeral Home- Glenwood.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 21, 2025 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel-Glenwood.