James Paul Jenkins

James Paul Jenkins, 94, passed away June 27, 2026 at Hosparus of Louisville. Jim was born to the late Paul and Hazel (Price) Jenkins in Mount Vernon, Kentucky. His family moved to Louisville when he was young where Jim graduated from Manuel High School and attended the University of Louisville. He was a member of Lynnhurst United Church of Christ and a life long proud and active Democrat. Jim married the love of his life, Alice Feig in 1953 and they had two children, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. They enjoyed UL basketball and football, traveling often with the teams to away games. Later in life, they went to baseball spring training in Florida most years. Jim was a photoengraver for the Standard Gravure Company, a subsidiary of the Courier Journal. He was a proud member of the Graphic Arts Communications Union and rose through the ranks to become the President of the Local. Jim and Alice moved to Shively in 1959. They were very active in the community, especially in the baseball and softball programs in Shively Park where Jim coached baseball. He served on the Parks Board and served on the Shively City Council. During a very turbulent time, Jim served as interim Mayor, overseeing the investigation and conviction of corruption by the police chief. After his retirement from the union, he served as Mayor for two terms. Jim was a warrior – he survived polio, police corruption and the untimely death of his grandson. Through it all, he reminded his family to just keep moving forward, no matter how slowly, just keep moving. Whether you called him son, husband, Daddy, Dad, Granddad, Gramps, Coach or Mayor, you always knew he had your back. He was the toughest gentle man you would ever meet. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, George Jenkins, his grandson, Wes Jenkins and his wife, Alice. When his wife entered long term care, Jim sold their home and moved into Assisted Living at the Nazareth Home so he could be with her every day. After she passed, he remained there and enjoyed the staff and residents, the book club and the happy hours (he really enjoyed the happy hours!) Those left to remember his good works and dry sense of humor are his children, Dave (Jean) and Joni, his grandchildren Drew (Tiffany) and Jamie and his great grandchildren, Porter and Charlotte. Funeral services will be Thursday, July 2, 2026 at noon at Owen Funeral Home, 5317 Dixie Highway with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be 10:00 am to noon at Owen on July 2. To honor Jim, do your civic duty and vote in every election. Enjoy the sun and an occasional good bourbon, and even when tough times happen, keep moving forward. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Nazareth Foundation, which provides scholarships to their staff pursuing careers in healthcare. Jim’s family is so appreciative of the care he received while living in Assisted Living, as well as remembering the care Alice received there.

James Paul Jenkins

September 13, 1931 - June 27, 2026