Norman Thomas Jenkins, affectionately known as Tommy or Tom, passed away peacefully surrounded by family members at his home in Susan, Va., on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at the age of 79. He was born on 08-14-1944. He was a 1962 graduate of Wilson High School, graduate of the Belt Line Railroad Apprenticeship in 1969, associate’s degree in nursing from Tidewater Community College in 1973. He faithfully served in the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1966 and was a Vietnam veteran. After his full-time service ended, he also served in the Army National Guard from 1966 to 1972. In the early 1980s he became an avid runner and even qualified for the Boston Marathon. When running became not enough, he became a World Class amateur triathlete, so proficient that he qualified for the toughest triathlon in the world, the Iron Man Kona. He was also very active in youth sports programs throughout his life. He coached his sons in baseball, football, and basketball. One of his greatest coaching accomplishments was leading the Olive Branch minor league cubs to the championship. Even after his children were grown and done with sports, that didn’t mean that his passion for sports ended. He spent countless hours on the road and soccer fields traveling thousands of miles to tournaments with his granddaughters. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do in the best interests of his family. He never missed a game unless Carolina was playing Duke. As many know, one of his greatest passions was UNC Tarheel basketball, a trait that was passed down to all his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; even the spouses of his family were indoctrinated into bleeding Carolina Blue—that was non-negotiable. He was also a Redskins fan, although for the last several years it had been less than a fruitful pursuit. He was also an avid fisherman. He truly loved fishing, especially in his beloved Mathews.

He spent countless hours on the water with his friends and family. Boat rides, even when not fishing, were also a common occurrence. Even when he was tired, he was always willing to “put the boat in the water.” In case you haven’t heard, he was fishing with his lifelong friend, Sammy, when he caught the World Record croaker, weighing in at 8 lbs. 11 oz. His love of fishing spilled over to his family as they still fish in those same waters to this day. But of all his achievements and accolades, nothing was more important to him than his faith in God and his family. He and his wife Catherine moved to Mathews County in 2013 and he became a fixture at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and loved his church family. He had a large and loving family.

He was born in Portsmouth, Va., and preceded in death by his parents, Norman Saunders Jenkins and Katherine Johnson Jenkins, and son-in-law, William Robert Frame III. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 60 years, Catherine Woodard Jenkins. He is also survived by a loving sister, Christy Cole (Melvin) and their son Kevin (Shannon) and great-niece Kennedy; four children, Penny Frame (Steele Nowell), Catherine Jenkins, Mark Jenkins (Heather) and Michael Jenkins (Jenny); eight grandchildren, Robert Frame (Annie), Kendall Wolf (Rio), Amber Everton (Devin), Taylor Hannah (Ryan), Brittany Neupert (Richard), Allison Jenkins (Mackenzie), Morgan Jenkins, and Dylan Jenkins; 12 great-grandchildren, Alana, Madison, Nalah, Kamryn, Maddox, Quinn, Eli, Gracelyn, Owen, Nolan, William Reid, and Hadley, as well as numerous other family members and hundreds of friends. If you knew him, you know that he never met a stranger. He was also no stranger to hard work. He worked for 38 years at the Belt Line/Norfolk Southern Railroad. After he retired, he cut lawns at his leisure. He even took his hard hat and boots out of retirement when his son, Mark, started Bay Caulking and Waterproofing, to help him grow his business. After he finally got sick of working, he fulfilled his lifelong dream to spend the rest of his life in his beloved Mathews County with his adoring wife. He was always welcoming to anyone who wanted to come by and visit.

The funeral will be held on Monday, October 30, 2023, at 2 p.m. St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 5555 New Point Comfort Hwy., Susan, Va. 23163.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Paul’s Methodist Church.

Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews, is assisting the family.