Dr. Donald E. Jenks, 99, of Platte City, MO passed away, February 28, 2026.
He was born on September 10, 1926 to Henry and Velma (Elsas) Jenks in Dawn, MO. Donald grew up in Dawn, MO and Silverton, CO. He graduated from Dawn High School in 1944. He then served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII.
On February 9, 1946 he was united in marriage to Mary Evelyn Watkins. After their marriage they moved to Kansas City where he received his undergraduate degree at Kansas City Community College. He then attended Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN where he received his Doctorate in Optometry. In 1954, they returned to Kansas City and in 1959 Donald opened his practice in Platte City. In 1992 they moved to Ashland, MO and he practiced Optometry in Columbia, MO until his retirement in 2022. His wife, Mary, preceded him in death on January 23, 2022.
Donald was involved in many civic organizations. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Platte City and served as Grand Master. He was a scout leader for the Boy Scout Troop 249 in Weston, and an honorary warrior and sachem for the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. He also served as a district governor of Rotary International and was a Paul Harris fellow.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Donald is survived by his children, Dr. Jerry (Nancy) Jenks, Lynne Warren (Joe), and Herbert (Melissa) Jenks; grandchildren, Ashley (Matt) Kolakowski, Jason (Heidi) Jenks, Golden Warren, Dr. Seth (Abby) Jenks, and Kole (Jiliyan) Jenks; great-grandchildren, Sayer and Grayson Riek, Elliston, Beckham, and Magnolia Grace Jenks, and Finley, Norah, and Weston Jenks; sister, Carol Marchant; other relatives and many friends.
A private family graveside service will be held for Donald and Mary at the Welsh Cemetery in Dawn, MO.
