Loving husband, father and philanthropist, Donovan Lloyd Jenkins died suddenly on Aug. 4, 2022 at the age of 81. Born in Berkeley, Don attended elementary school there, graduated from high school in Newport, RI, attended UC Berkeley and joined Sigma Chi fraternity. Don graduated in 1962. He married his beloved Linda "Becky" (Beckett) that same year. After settling in Lafayette, they created their home, raising two daughters with Don coaching each one of their sports teams. Their lives together began devoted to family, service and community.
Partners in Jenkins, Reeves & Shaw Insurance, then later Lafayette Square Insurance Services, he treasured his clients and received the Lafayette Business Person of the Year award in 1996, served as the Chamber of Commerce President in 1995 and was awarded the Lafayette Citizen of the Year in 2018.
Through Don's strong faith and belief to always live with purpose, his volunteerism became a major influence on many community organizations over his lifetime. A consummate fundraiser, Don was a founding member and past president of the Lafayette Community Foundation which led to his involvement with the financial planning of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. He was also a founding board member and original fundraiser of Cal Shakes. A Trustee for the Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church Foundation, he proudly served as an Elder. Always looking for the next opportunity to make an impact, he committed his time and fundraising energy as a founding board member of Lamorinda Village, a nonprofit helping seniors live in their home as long as it is safe to do so. The Cancer Support Community also benefited from his fundraising efforts. Past president of Orinda Rotary, a dedicated member of Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary, national advisor to the Rotary Foundation, he epitomized their motto of "Service above Self."
Don enjoyed swimming, skiing, golfing and sailing, serving as past Commodore of the Berkeley Yacht Club. Together, Don and Becky relished time with good friends and traveling with a purpose. He loved Becky and his family deeply and was uniquely blessed with the foresight to craft his own legacy. A gentleman always, he will be remembered by those who knew him for his warmth and faith filled life, his selflessness, generosity, good humor and citizenship. Because of his dedication to philanthropy, our community will benefit for years to come.
Don is survived by his wife Linda "Becky," his daughter Renee Culbertson, husband Dr. Bruce Culbertson, grandchildren Mikayla and Jack and Nick Culbertson of Phoenix, Ariz., daughter Diana Jenkins and grandson Elijah Jenkins Taylor of Oakland, Calif., and sister Robin Okano, husband Isao, nephews Gou, Tetsu, Ryu, Keu and niece Ai of Japan.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church Sept. 15, 2022 at 3 p.m.
The family requests those who wish to express their sympathy in honor of Don's legacy, to consider making a donation to Lamorinda Village, the Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church Foundation, Rotary International or Cancer Support Community in his name.
We will miss his gracious heart and kind presence throughout our community. |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA