Abel Jenkins Obituary

Abel U. Jenkins GOOSE CREEK - Abel U. Jenkins, 90, longtime Goose Creek resident, passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2016. Born in Swainsboro, Georgia on July 26, 1925, he was the son of the late Julius and Eula Jenkins. His youth was spent in the Swainsboro area until enlisting in the Navy in the early days of World War II. After basic training, he volunteered for submarine duty and served as a torpedo man in the Pacific. After the war, Abel transitioned to fire control technician and was certified as a Polaris Fire Control Specialist. While stationed in Florida in 1952, Abel met the love of his life, Gloria. They married on June 14, 1953. Abel retired as a FTC(SS), after receiving decorations, medals and commendations including the National Defense Service Medal, American Theatre and Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medals, Philippine Liberation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal (4th award). Entering civilian life, Abel went to work at NASA in Cape Canaveral, Florida. During Abel's time with Project Mercury, America's first Manned Space Program, he worked as a telemetry specialist. Highlights during his time there were: the successful launch and recovery of Alan Shepherd, the first American launched into space, and John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth. Abel, Gloria, and their two daughters moved to the Charleston area in 1962, after he accepted a civil service position with Polaris Missile Facility, Atlantic (POMFLANT). They settled down in Goose Creek and proudly called it home. Upon Abel's retirement from civil service, he and Gloria started Abe's Tri Co. Pest Control Company, which they operated for 29 years. He was a Charter Member of the Goose Creek Lions Club and an active member of the Swamp Fox Chapter of World War II Submarine Veterans. Abel loved to fish, travel and spend time with his family. Survivors include, his daughter and son-in-law, Christina and Randall Samuelsen of Goose Creek; son-in-law, Steven Burnette of Ocean Springs, MS; sister and brother-in-law, Billye and Bob Walton of Suffolk, VA; sister-in-law, Valena Jenkins of Canon, GA; six grandchildren, James Burnette, Geoffrey Burnette, Christopher Burnette, Aren Samuelsen, Del Samuelsen and Casey Samuelsen; and one great-grandson, Nathan Burnette. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Gloria Jenkins; daughter, Lorene Burnette; and two brothers, Julius Jenkins and George Jenkins. The family will receive friends Monday, January 25, 2016 from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm at McAlister- Smith Funeral Home, Goose Creek Chapel. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 2:00 pm at the funeral home, with the family receiving friends in the hour preceding the service. Interment will immediately follow at Carolina Memorial Gardens, North Charleston, SC. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made in his memory to Fisher House Foundation, at www.fisherhouse.org, the Wounded Warrior Foundation at www.woundedwarriorproject.org, or to a charity of choice. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted to www.mcalister-smith.com. Arrangements entrusted to MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 869 St. James Ave., Goose Creek, SC, 29445. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston