Ralph Wayne Jenkins, 76, of Salem, VA, passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2020, with his wife of 49 years by his side after a lengthy and brave battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on Friday, December 10, 1943, to the late Willie Winfred and Edith Mae Stone Jenkins. Ralph saw the world as a Russian radio intercept operator in the U.S. Air Force and lived in the UK and Germany, but Virginia was always the place he considered home. He was active in The Boy Scouts Association, earning such honors as the Order of the Arrow and Eagle Scout before becoming a scoutmaster to mentor others. He also coached both of his daughters and his future son-in-law in their youth bowling league while winning many bowling awards at the regional and state level himself. Ralph spent his working years as a manufacturing leader at General Electric where he retired from in 2008. He had many hobbies including solving all of the puzzles in the Sunday paper, but his favorite past time was baseball. He was a decades-long season ticket holder and a near-permanent fixture at the Salem Red Sox where he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Among his favorite baseball memories were road trips to see major league games with his youngest daughter and meeting one of his favorite players, Willie Mays. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Winfred Morton Jenkins, Sr., and his infant twin brother.
He is survived by his wife, Lois Marie Earley Jenkins; daughters, Waynette Marie Jenkins Moore, and Kathy Sue Jenkins Taylor and husband, Chris; grandchildren, Brandon Michael Szymusiak and Elizabeth Marie Moore; sister, Connie Jenkins; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in the U.S. and abroad.
In light of current events, the family will have a private graveside service at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens with Rev. Tim Gearheart officiating. A celebration in honor of his life will be held at a later date for all who wish to attend.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnmoakey.com.