Darren Jenkin

OBITUARY “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” II Timothy 4:7 Darren A. Jenkins was the beloved son of the late Melvin and Dorothy Williams Jenkins. He was born on November 11, 1959 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After a long illness, he was given his wings at Clara Mass Medical Hospital on Monday, September 4, 2017. Darren was a 1978 graduate of Clifford J. Scott High School, East Orange, New Jersey where he played football. After high school, he attended Morgan State University, Baltimore Maryland. While attending Morgan State, Darren was blessed with his first son, Melvin M. Worsley. Darren pledged “Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc.” while at Morgan State. (Alpha Chapter) He crossed the burning sand on April 27, 1980. His line name was “Black Gigolo” and his line was known as “8 for the 80’s minus 1”. (7 A 80) He loved his fraternity and fraternity brothers. While attending Morgan State, Darren met Debra Taylor. They were married on October 22, 1989. Out of this union they were blessed with two sons, Darren Jr. and Dustin Jenkins. They later divorced but remained “good friends”. Darren was employed at Bellevue Hospital, New York, Eastlea Group Home, East Orange, Amtrak and Union County Human Services. Later in life, Darren was blessed with yet another son Jayden Jenkins whom he called his “special child”. Darren was known for his expertise in board games, cards and ping pong. He considered himself the “Master of All Games”. Every Thursday at his senior complex at 220 Prospect St., East Orange he would host a game night for his friends. Even in Darren’s most difficult time in his life and dealing with many health issues, he made it his priority to stay strong for his family and friends. He had his own way of giving advice, soothing troubled hearts and telling funny stories. He was always the person that was the “Life of the Party”. With all of this, Darren’s proudest moments were being with his sons and grandchildren. Darren leaves to cherish his memory to his four sons, Melvin M. Worsley (April) of Camp Springs, MD, Darren A. Jenkins Jr. (Charlene) of Plainfield, NJ, Dustin Jenkins (Jarena) of Brooklyn, NY and Jayden X. Jenkins of Piscataway, NJ. , his brother, Melvin P. Jenkins (Debbie) of Columbia, SC, Two sisters Lynette Mann of Passaic, NJ and Jennye Jenkins of Denver, CO. He also leaves the pride of his life…his grandchildren, Dillon, Leighann, Courtney, Isabel, Austin, Maliha and Makai. He leaves 3 aunts…Bernice Williams, Grace Coleman and Loretta Jenkins, special friend, Marilyn Burnett and a host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.