Joseph Harold Jenkins

CAMBRIDGE – Joseph Harold Jenkins, 71, of Cambridge passed away on at his home on Friday, April 18, 2008. He was born in Cambridge on Dec. 15, 1936 and was a son of the late Cecil Simmons and Ella Geoghegan Jenkins.

He graduated from Cambridge High School, a member of the class of 1954. He received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Maryland, a bachelor of laws from Mt. Vernon Law School and a doctor of law degree from the University of Baltimore. During most of his school years, he also led an orchestra, taking two years out for national tours and serving two years, 1958-1960, in the U.S. Army Bagpipe & Drum Corps of the U.S. Army Band. On the road, his orchestra backed many well-known entertainers, including Chuck Berry, Lloyd Price and Connie Francis. After college, he went into the real estate business. His office won a first place award from the National Association of Real Estate Boards in 1970. Later, a community he was developing in Annapolis, The Downs, was nominated for a Planned Estate Community Award from the Urban Land Institute. He was twice president of the Maryland Association of Homebuilders in Anne Arundel County and served as a Director of the Maryland Association of Realtors. He was an officer and director on the Prince Georges County Board of Realtors. In 1989, he formed Celtica, a product line of apparel and accessories with unique Celtic, Irish and Scottish designs that was sold at festivals and in stores around the country. Mr. Jenkins retired and sold the business in 2006.

Mr. Jenkins attended Wesley Seminary and Westminster Theological Seminary where he studied history of religion in America. He was a founding member of City Church of Annapolis. He was also on the board of directors for Evergreen Cove Holistic Learning Center. He loved sailing, travel, reading and collecting rare books, and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by one daughter, Jody J. Hayden and husband Warren Hayden of Crofton, three sons, Joseph H. Jenkins III and wife Jennifer Jenkins of Stamford, CT, James A. Jenkins and wife Stephanie Jenkins of Slingerlands, NY, and Thomas Kelly of Alexandria, Va. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Abby, Drew, Emily, Sara, Zack, Luke, Levi, Zion, Sam and Joshua. He has one surviving sister, Audrey Jones of Murfreesboro, Tenn., several nieces and nephews and a close friend. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Cecelia Mae O'Shea, Betty Murphy Filion and Mary Elizabeth Jenkins.