Mourning the Loss of James L. Jenkins S’58
James L. Jenkins S’58 (here with wife Hazel Buckingham Jenkins) was Chairman of the National Society, Virginia’s Delegate to the Society’s Standing & Advisory Committee, a founding director of the Sigma Phi Educational Foundation, President of the Virginia Alumni Corporation, and a member of the Virginia Alumni Board for nearly 50 years. His contributions to Sigma Phi will never be forgotten.
It is with tremendous sadness that we share news of the passing of Chairman Emeritus James L. Jenkins S’58 on January 26, 2013.
“Jim’s death is both a deeply personal loss and a great deprivation to the entire Sigma Phi Society,” writes current Sigma Phi Chairman James V. Cole, II S’87. “From day one, his commitment to the Society was absolute. Over his more than fifty years of service, he served as Chairman of the National Society, Virginia’s Delegate to the Society’s Standing & Advisory Committee, a founding director of the Sigma Phi Educational Foundation, President of the Virginia Alumni Corporation, and a member of the Virginia Alumni Board. He was the epitome of a true gentleman in all that he did and exhibited the spirit of pure and eternal friendship unique to our Society.”
A memorial service on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Richmond was attended by hundreds of friends and family, including dozens of Sigs. A Facebook page has been established where each of us can share our memories of Jim. In addition, the National Flagship Fourth of March banquet on March 9, 2013 in Alexandria, Va. will be a tribute to Jim.
At the time of his passing, Jim was in the middle of leading a capital campaign for the Alpha of Virginia. In accordance with his wishes, his family has asked that donations from Sigma Phi brothers go to this campaign in lieu of flowers.
Contributions may also be made to a scholarship fund that Jim was instrumental in establishing at U.Va. (and supported annually) to honor his friend Tom Cooney S’60; the fund has been renamed the Jenkins-Cooney Scholarship Fund. These lasting legacies will benefit two of the entities he loved most: Sigma Phi and Mr. Jefferson’s University.
Links
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Alpha of Virginia Capital Campaign.
Perpetuate Jim’s legacy with a contribution to the Jenkins-Cooney Memorial Scholarship.
James L. Jenkins Memorial Page on Faceboook >>
Register to attend the Fourth of March banquet on March 9, 2013 >>
James L. Jenkins paid obituary notice in Richmond Times-Dispatch >>
“Jim Jenkins, former RMA chairman, dies at 73” (Richmond Times-Dispatch) >>