Vic Jenkins
With great respect and deep sorrow, the family of Vic Jenkins announces his passing on October 18, 2021. He was a man of unusual integrity, wit, and wisdom. He was a teacher, a writer, a musician, a minister, a historian, a gardener, and a social activist. He was also a co-founder of the first Fantasy Baseball League in 1954, along with his brother, Jerry Jenkins, and his two brothers-in-law, Bill Allen and Jerry Munson. He was humble, warm, and always ready to lend a hand or share a funny or provocative story.
Vic was born in rural Oklahoma on January 13, 1938, during the Great Depression. He was the third child born to Thelma and Vic Jenkins, Sr. Even as a small child, he was a free spirit, never wanting to be penned in. He often disappeared for hours with his dog, Happy, roaming the countryside and developing a lifelong closeness to nature. In later years he became an avid backpacker and river rafter.
His family moved to Dinuba, California, in 1947, when he was nine years old. Vic maintained lifelong relationships with several of his new friends. His mother was his first grade teacher, and his father became principal of a neighboring school. Vic worked in the fields and in the packing sheds and canneries during the summers, driving tractors and trucks when he was 13.
Majoring in history and music at San Francisco State University, he became a high school teacher in 1963 after serving in the army band for two years at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. He brought his first wife, Gloria, and his son, Jay, to Wheatland, California, where he was a history and band teacher. His creativity and intellect, along with his humor and easy-going personality, made him a popular and well respected teacher.
In 1971 Vic moved his family, which now included two more children, Robin and René, to Santa Rosa, California, where he taught at Montgomery High School. He started a rafting club called the River Rats, conducted pit orchestras for many school musicals, and played for years with Ken Stout and his music group. He kept lifelong connections with some of his former students, who were blessed by his unconditional love and support.
In Santa Rosa he and Gloria helped start a Unity Church. Vic was the choir director and was so taken with New Thought teachings that he eventually decided to become a Unity minister. He started his second career after completing a two-year ministerial program in Lee's Summit, Missouri. By the time he'd graduated from seminary, he had remarried, and Carolynn Ranch became his devoted wife and soul mate. He became the minister of Unity of the Valley Spiritual Center in Vacaville, CA, in 1987, where he remained for twenty years. During this time he mentored many people, became a regional leader, and inspired us to expand our thinking about spirituality and social justice. Always thought-provoking, his Sunday talks were laced with anecdotes, puns and jokes that were usually appropriate.
Recently he served as President of S. A. J. E., Solano Alliance for Justice and Empowerment, a non-profit created to provide financial support for the Family Justice Center in Solano County. Motivated by the murder of his daughter, Robin, in 2009, he worked tirelessly to support those whose lives could be enhanced by having a safe place to stay, financial support, legal assistance, and counseling.
Our world has lost a great man, one who was able to shine light into the darkest corners of human experience. We will miss his laughter, his wise counsel, his vast knowledge, his willingness to converse about many subjects, and his gentle nature. He was devoted to his children, adored by his wife, and well loved by his family and countless others whose lives he touched. Now he lives within each of us blessed to have known him, loved him, and learned from him.
He is survived by his wife, Carolynn Ranch, his sons, Jay Smith and René Jenkins, his sister, Ginger Munson (Jerry), of Dinuba, his brother, Jerry Jenkins (Janna), of Woodbridge, Virginia, a dazzling assortment of nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. His daughter, Robin Jenkins, and his sister, Sue Allen, predeceased him.
We're proud of our relationship with you, Vic. You made a difference. You made us laugh. You made us think. You always cheered us on, helping us become our best selves. Yours was a life lived to the fullest, spilling over with laughter and love, and we'll always be grateful for each brilliant moment we shared.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Unity of the Valley Spiritual Center, 350 N. Orchard Avenue, Vacaville, CA. 95688 or Solano Alliance for Justice and Empowerment, Box 2760, Fairfield, CA 94533, are welcome.
From Carolynn Ranch (wife of Vic Jenkins). Email: cranch007@gmail.com