Personal
Jenkins never returned to complete his academic education at Georgia Tech. In 1947, he marrried Anne MacGregor, a registered nurse. They had seven children: Howard, Kenneth, David, Delores, Carol, Nancy and Julie. The couple divorced in 1974.
Jenkins suffered a stroke on August 8, 1989, but continued to work and visit his supermarkets in a wheelchair. Jenkins died in 1996 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center and was buried in Oak Hill Burial Park in Lakeland. He left his wealth to the George M. Jenkins Fund (charity) and his family, which continues to control the company. Florida Governor Lawton Chiles stated, "George (Jenkins) made a tremendous contribution to our business climate, but perhaps more importantly, he was a true civic leader who had a deep dedication to improving our communities." The founder's son, Howard M. Jenkins, has been Chairman of the Board since 1990.
Read more about this topic: George W. Jenkins
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