Jared Jeffrey Jenkins

Jared Jeffrey Jenkins, 32, departed this Earth on Sunday, September 21, 2014 as a result of a one-car accident in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. Born and raised in Little Rock, Jared attended Pulaski County Schools, graduating from Mills University High School in 2000. He excelled academically, earning many honors, including National Merit Commended Scholar. He graduated with 26 hours of AP college credits and won a Trustees Scholarship to the University of Central Arkansas, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Philosophy and later was awarded a Masters of Business Administration, also from UCA. Jared had many interests, including music, having played the violin from third grade through high school. He also loved to play the harmonica and pick his guitar. Despite his genetic handicap, Jared displayed his love for sports (baseball, football, golf) in the same way he lived every aspect of his life, with tenacity and unmatched determination. In addition to his family and devoted friends, Jared also loved being outdoors in the beautiful State of Arkansas. He was especially fond of hiking and camping in the Richland Creek area, where his ashes will be scattered. At the time of his death, Jared was the Manager of Terminal Operations for the Union Pacific Railroad in Livonia, Louisiana, having previously been MTO at Memphis, Tenn. and Coffeyville, Kan. Jared is survived by his grandmothers, Mary Kathryn Jenkins of Pine Bluff and Marguerite Flowers of Springfield, Mo., his parents Morris and Alice Jenkins of Little Rock, his brother Josh (Rachel) of Magnolia, his sister Megan of Little Rock, aunts Pam (Phil) Miller of Glenwood, Sandra (Bob) Kubik of Springfield, Mo., uncle Mark (Kelly) Jenkins of Pine Bluff, his beloved cousins, and his girlfriend Sarah Autrey Young of Little Rock. A ceremony honoring Jared's life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 27 at St. James United Methodist Church at 321 Pleasant Valley Drive in Little Rock. A reception will follow the service. Honorary pallbearers will be Allen Bragg, Neil Gray, Jeremy Little, Jeremy Ferguson, Jesse Flatte, Brad Kubik, Brian Kubik, Greg Kubik, Brandon Ruhl, and Eric Ruhl. In lieu of flowers, memorials honoring Jared's life may be offered to the Nature Conservancy of Arkansas, 601 North University Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205.