David Donan Jenkins

David Donan Jenkins

David Donan Jenkins age 80, of  Sturgis died Friday May 23, 2014 at Shemwell Healthcare in Providence. 

He was born February 17, 1934 in Union County, to the late Charles Henry and Harpie Derea Jenkins. He was preceded in death also by his wife Georgia “Jo” Jenkins in 2003, and brothers and sisters. He  was a United States Army Veteran and a member of the Cat Alley Quail Club. He was employed with the Kentucky Department of  Fish and Wildlife from 1958 to 1997 and retired as a Captain of the Second Wildlife Region. 

Retired Captain Donan Jenkins and his late wife Georgia, known to everyone as “Miss Jo” have dedicated their entire adult lives to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. More specifically they dedicated their lives to the officers of Kentucky who were their family and still are, and to the natural resources of this great state. Their hard work and sacrifices has enabled them to give gifts that will span many lifetimes. Four different Scholarships Funds have been established in their name funded by their own money. One provided to the Kentucky Conservation Officers Association, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Employees, Union County High School and Crittenden County High School.

David Donan “Bulldog” Jenkins was born in Union County February 17, 1934. Donan graduated from Morganfield High School in 1952 and served two hitches in the U. S. ARMY and was hired as a Kentucky Game Warden in 1958. In 1964 and 1965 he was recognized as the Kentucky Officer of the Year. Articles pertaining to some of his exploits have appeared in September , 1977 issue of “Readers Digest”,” Kentucky Game and Fish” magazine and 3 chapters from the book “Halt I’m a Federal Game Warden” covering some of the stories relating to his career. The first call meeting for an officers association was made by Donan in 1967 in Elizabethtown. Soon afterwards, he was sent to the mountains of east Kentucky to ponder the wisdom of such a meeting. The next called meeting was 21 years later in 1988 and the Association was formed. Donan is a charter member and avid supporter of the K. C. O. A.

Georgia “Miss Jo” Travis Jenkins was born in Crittenden County on September 22, 1934 and was residing in Sturgis, Kentucky at the time of her death on February 15, 2003. Jo attended Marion High School and graduated in 1952. She was a career employee with the Selective Service and the Corp of Engineers. “Miss Jo” ran the day to day family business and took care of Donan and 16 Game Wardens and I assure you no one could have done it better. Jo was an associate member of the association and staunch supporter of all the officers in the state.

Survivors include his sister Mildred Phillips of Michigan and Nieces and Nephews. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday May 29, 2014 at Whitsell Funeral Home in Sturgis. Bro. Daniel Askew will officiate. Burial will be in Boxville Odd Fellows Cemetery in Boxville, with honors by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Officers. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. until service on Thursday at the funeral home. 

Memorial Contribution can be made to the Kentucky Conservation Officers Association.          paid