‘He was always there for everyone’: KC minister, musician Leon Jenkins Jr. dies at 64
Being named after his father, Leon Jenkins III knew he had much to live up to. His father, Leon Jenkins Jr., was the blueprint for him of what a good man is, a provider and protector for those he loved.
Jenkins, a minister, musician and father of three, died on April 16 at 64 due to natural causes.
“I will miss his words of wisdom and the comfort that I found in his words,” says his son. “I will miss the love he showed for us as a family and really just everyone he came in contact with, honestly.”
Jenkins was a talented singer who played the guitar, bass and keyboard for the congregation he served at Victory Outreach Ministry.
“We are all hanging in there and just trying to be there for each other and keeping each other encouraged through stories and memories we share of him,” says his son.
He says the ministry brought his father from his hometown of Anchorage, Alaska, to Kansas City to help establish Victory Outreach in 1999. His father fell in love with the city and stayed to raise his family.
“He had a contagious smile and always had a positive word of encouragement. I think he inspired a lot of people to push harder than they would have on their own,” his son says.
His son, 30, a corrugation plant manager and part-time photographer and videographer, says that watching his father work hard gave him the mindset for success. Remembering his father’s “entrepreneurial spirit,” he says he learned the importance of finding a job you love. So when he chose to take up photography, he said that his father was one of his biggest supporters.
“I grew up watching him start his own recording studio and a music production company,” he says. “He was really big on people gaining financial independence and get out of the rat race of working for somebody else.”
He will always remember his father’s kindness.
“He was very loving, caring and compassionate. He was always focused on helping out the next man in where they were trying to go,” his son says.
The funeral for Jenkins was held on April 16 at Maywood Baptist Church; his son says it was more a celebration of life. Many people there spoke words of kindness and shared stories of Jenkins’ effect on their lives. Many of the musicians playing in the service were his former students.
“It was a beautiful service, and to see the amount of people that turned up to a celebrate the life of my father showed me how much he meant to people,” says his son. “He was always so encouraging and supportive and he was always there for everyone.”
Jenkins is survived by his wife, Frieda Jenkins; children Leon Jenkins III, Creneisha Jenkins and Carlin Jenkins; and a host of nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
Other remembrances
Randolph Northern
Randolph Northern, a U.S. Air Force veteran, died April 16. He was 85.
Northern was born March 28, 1938, to William Philmore and Ruthie Northern in Kansas City. One of eight children, Northern was called ‘Randy” by friends and family. He grew up viewing his father as a hard-working inspiration.
He graduated from Argentine High School in 1957 and attended Kansas City, Kansas, Community College before graduating from Emporia State Teachers College in 1970.
Northern served in the Air Force from 1960 until 1964, allowing him to travel extensively. He later traveled the country as a consultant for Camp Fire Inc.
He was known as the family historian and loved doing extensive genealogy research.
He is survived by his brother Ozell Northern and a host of nieces and nephews.
Louis Loche’ Jr.
Louis Loche Jr’, U.S. Army veteran and postal worker, died May 3. He was 97.
Loche’ was born Dec. 11, 1925, to Louis David Sr. and Laura Loche in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana. He and his family relocated to Kansas City in the 1930s.
He graduated from R.T. Coles Vocational High School, where he studied building maintenance. He enlisted in the Army and served in World War II.
He then worked for the Postal Service the next 20-plus, years, rising through the ranks to become a management coordinator. He also served as the first president of the National Post Mail Handlers Union Local 297.
Loche’ married Murdis Dean in 1950, and they enjoyed a happy marriage for the next 62 years. Their one son, Jerry, died in infancy. They were lifetime members of the Church of God in Christ.
