Charles Derrick Jenkins

Charles Derrick Jenkins, age 56, ended his earthly journeySeptember 22, 2016. He was born October 20th, 1959 in Birmingham, Alabama toparents AD and Margaret (Ruffin) Jenkins. At the age of 7, his family moved toIndianapolis, IN looking for opportunity and growth. It is here where heplanted roots, created a family of his own and grew into the hard-working manpeople knew and loved.

Charles attended John Marshall High School and achieved majoraccomplishments during his high school years. He won the Wrestling StateChampionship in his weight division and became the first black editor of theJohn Marshall High School newspaper. He excelled in academics, sports andextra-curricular activities while delivering newspapers every morning since theage of 10. He graduated class of 1978 and continued his education at hisbeloved Indiana University. While there, he worked as a bus driver and wouldalways brag about being able to stop on a dime. He graduated from IndianaUniversity in 1982 with his Bachelors in political science. While attendingIndiana University, he met and married Karen Goode and through this unionproduced three of his surviving children. After graduating from IndianaUniversity, Charles joined the Officer Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Charles was the epitome of hard work with an impeccable workethic, a trait he inherited from his parents. He was the Division Sales Managerof the largest division for the Indianapolis Star newspaper. He held thisposition from 1989-2009 and was very proud to hold this title. He was atalented entrepreneur who owned various businesses to include a car lot,restaurant and was a local supplier of poly bags for newspapers. He employedhundreds of people through these various business injecting his work ethic intotheir lives. In addition to selflessly working each day, he loved his familyand strived to make his children, siblings, aunts and uncles, nieces andnephews happy.

Charles was the second youngest child of four siblings. He waspreceded in death by his parents AD and Margaret (Ruffin) Jenkins and oldestbrother Raymond Ruffin. He leaves to cherish his memory children: Renisha,Christopher and Evan Jenkins and Josiah Williams; devoted sister Phyllis(Steve) Jenkins Chenault, brother Alvin (Charlotte) Jenkins Sr.; loving AuntEllen Evans; special nephew Alvin Jenkins Jr.; lifelong friends KarenJenkins-Carroll and Amos Washington; and many other family members and friends.

Funeral services will be Saturday, October 1^st,2016 at Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Center – Washington Park North, 2706Kessler Blvd West Drive, Indianapolis Indiana 46228 at 1:00pm. Viewing will beheld from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.