Dr. Roger Jenkins Jr.

Roger Jerome Jenkins Jr. (Jerry) was born on November 27, 1966, in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late Dr. Roger Jerome Jenkins Sr. and Rose Oliver Jenkins.

Jerry from an early age was a very caring person who took pride in serving as role model for his younger siblings, Courtney and Oren.

Jerry was a fierce competitor who loved sports. At an early age he participated in various sports such soccer, baseball and basketball. As a teenager, he helped initiate and manage the Paddock Hills Jets, a youth neighborhood baseball team in which his two younger brothers helped start.

As a high school student, he earned numerous academic honors; a national merit finalist, member of the National Honor Society and the Who’s Who among high school Students for academic excellence. He also was the statistician for the high school basketball team at Summit Country Day. Jerry graduated from high school in 1984 and went on to attend the prestigious Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts. He earned bachelor’s degrees in English and Biology. After graduation from Amherst College in 1988, he went on to attend medical school at the University of Cincinnati.

During this period the late Dr. Jerome Jenkins Sr. fell ill and unfortunately passed away in June of 1994. Instead of choosing a long career in medicine, Jerry decided to stay at home in Cincinnati and take care of his mother, Rose Oliver Jenkins. Jerry’s life path drove him in another direction after medical school, where he became a manager of a multi-marketing firm.

Jerry had a huge heart, full of kindness and generosity towards others. He would literally give the shirt off his back to a person in need. He helped his mother Rose Oliver Jenkins, who was the administrator of the Cincinnati Public Schools Gifted and Talent Program and the principal at South Avondale Elementary School, send a class of students at South Avondale Elementary School to Washington D.C. This was the first time in the school’s history of ever sending any class from this elementary school to the Nation’s capital. Whomever Jerry encounter in his life, he always impacted them in a positive way and went out of his way to make their lives better. Jerry served as a great example of how a son, big brother and uncle should act.

Jerry had lots of interests. He loved to travel, watch sports including basketball, football, and soccer.

He was a family man who also enjoyed watching the latest movies, listening to music, had a passion for cooking and attended WNBA games with his family.

Jerry loved his family and always sacrificed to help his two younger brothers, Oren and Courtney. As the oldest, there wasn’t a week that went by without Jerry giving some advice to his younger brothers.

As a family man, he showed that same care and devotion to his many nieces and nephews- whether it was helping them with school projects, cheering them on in their sporting events, giving words of  encouragement or driving them to school dances. Jerry was always there!

In his work life, Jerry always worked incredibly hard and made the environment more efficient, while leaving a lasting positive impression on his coworkers.

In the spring of 2024, Jerry became engaged to Vanessa Perry. Jerry gave all his love to Vanessa and her two children Leila and EJ. He always was a forward thinker and had big plans later this year which involved him getting married in June, but God decided to call him home early.

Jerry always put others first, taking care of everyone around him. He was the perfect example of a loving son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, relative and human being and will forever be remembered in our hearts. In his 58 years, Jerry lived life to the fullest, accomplishing more than most could hope for in a lifetime. Beyond having a remarkable talent in medicine, he was one of the smartest and most intelligent people you could ever meet. With that said, he never missed an opportunity to crack a joke and to fill any room he was in with laughter and big smiles. Simply put, Jerry was the best this world had to offer, and he will be truly missed.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father Dr. Roger Jerome Jenkins Sr.

Jerry leaves to cherish his memories: his beloved mother, Rose Oliver Jenkins; his fiancée, Vanessa Perry; his brothers, Courtney Duval Jenkins and Oren Shawn Jenkins Sr.; his nieces, Jasmine Nicole Jenkins, Cassidy Elise Jenkins, Debella Havana Jenkins and   Ariella Pickins; his nephews, Oren Shawn Jenkins Jr. (Manny), Cameron Isiah Williams, Xavier Alexander Williams, and Braylen Nicholas Jenkins; his sisters-in-law, Natasha Pickins, Tamara Williams; his aunts and uncles, Barbara Bailey, Marrian Nichols, Thomas J Oliver and Gwen Oliver, Dr. Curtis Smith and Naomie Smith, Leila Perry and EJ Perry, Tamara Jackson and her husband Jay Jackson as well as a host of cousins, relatives, co-workers, and close friends.

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