DENNIS LYNN JENKINS

Dennis Lynn Jenkins, age 69, of Lamar, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Good Shepherd Community Care in Lockwood, Missouri.

Dennis was born September 1, 1956, in Lamar, Missouri, to Sherman Chester Jenkins and Poncie Oletha (Williams) Jenkins. He graduated from Southwest Missouri State University (SMSU) in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in administrative management. On January 28, 1986, Dennis married Kathryn Mary Finley in Lamar, Missouri.

Dennis (aka Pinky) spent most of his life in the Lamar area. As a kid, he would hang out at Ihm’s garage and pester Larry while he worked on souped up cars, that started his long romance with cars and motorcycles and acceleration. He pulled a push mower behind his bike and mowed lawns to earn money to buy his first ‘57 Chevy, or, as his mother called it, “that red car”. He worked as a mechanic until he tried management with Wal-Mart which required moving a lot and longer hours than a 20-something kid wanted. He returned to mechanicing. He didn't’t have a bank account until he was married. If he borrowed from anyone, first money on pay day would be to the loan. Then rent, then beer.

Later, he and Kathy moved to Ozark, Missouri, where they started their family and Dennis went to college. In 1991, they returned to Lamar to care for family and raise their children and Dennis worked for Thorco for several years.

Dennis enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies, including fishing, shooting, and golf. He was a skilled and creative cook, and he rarely made the same dish twice. He loved listening to loud rock and roll, and enjoyed a good cigar, an old fashioned and a good dog. He had a passion for fast cars and motorcycles and was always able to make people laugh. Dennis appreciated time with family and friends and especially enjoyed surprise visits from company, particularly pretty girls.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Jenkins; son, Nicholas (Marina) Jenkins of Fulton, Missouri; daughter, Alison Jenkins of Lamar; and brothers, Darryl (Dorothy) Jenkins of Lockwood, Missouri, and Dwane (Mary) Jenkins of Neosho, Missouri.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; son, Daniel Jenkins; and sister and brother-in-law, Shirlene (Jenkins) Kleeman and John Kleeman.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Daniel Funeral Home in Lamar, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to AOK (About Our Kids) in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com.