Gregory Dean Jenkins, Jr., born on Father’s Day, June 16, 1968, died on Aug. 29 at the age of 51. The news of his death was met by sorrow from both family and friends, who expressed that he will be greatly missed.

Over the past four months, Greg battled gastric cancer mightily, living what he taught his high school mythology students about Hercules. His life since April has not been easy. He endured many physically daunting experiences. Now he is finally at peace, and his loved ones hope he will live forever among the gods on Mount Olympus.

He is survived by wife of 23 years, Jennifer Jenkins; his daughter, Mary Jane Jenkins (age 19); and his son, Lucas Jenkins (age 17), all of San Jose, CA.; his father, Dr. Gregory Jenkins; mother, Michele Jenkins, of Newhall; his sister, Lorian; and brother-in-law, Andre de Oliveira, of Boston, MA. Additionally, he will be missed greatly by his father-in-law, Jack Tankersley; his mother-in-law, Jane Tankersley, of Santa Clara, CA.; and his brother-in-law, Jay Tankersley, of Discovery Bay, CA.

Maintaining close family relationships was very important to Greg, and he leaves behind many aunts, uncles and cousins who all love him dearly. He nurtured relationships with his friends and neighbors, volunteering his time to assist in handyman projects and sharing his sense of humor through frequent entertaining video texts and messages.

Greg surrounded himself with music all of his life. As a young teenager, Greg entertained his cousins by singing and playing the guitar and banjo. While living in St. Louis, Missouri with his parents, Greg attended a performing arts high school.

When the family returned to California in 1983, Greg hosted a Saturday morning music talk program on the local AM station in Santa Clarita. In high school and college, he and a friend also had a successful DJ business.

Greg, an alum of College of the Canyons and Santa Barbara City College, continued his education. It was during his pursuit of a BA degree in literature at the College of Creative Studies within the University of California, Santa Barbara that Greg met his future wife, Jennifer. They were together for 29 years.

The couple moved to the Bay Area in 1995, where Jennifer worked as an elementary school teacher and Greg worked as a server at two San Jose restaurants, performed with several bands in clubs and eventually was a stay-at-home parent.

Greg’s composed, sang and produced his own music in a home recording studio he created. He played North By Northeast (NXNE) in Toronto, South By Southwest (SXSW) in Austin and toured extensively throughout California. He wrote and recorded 209 songs, one of which was played on an episode of the hit TV show “Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”

Greg enjoyed creating outdoor sculptures with found objects, such as his grandmother’s hand meat grinder. He adored his childhood neighborhood in Placerita Canyon (adjacent to Disney Ranch) and spent over a decade recreating this canyon aesthetic within his own backyard. If he could have, he would have turned his home and property into a Disney Ranch movie set.

Greg embraced the hobbies of all those in his family. He loved Jennifer’s rescued rabbits, helped her adopt many homeless dogs and later registered his cherished Shih Tzu dog, Fetty, as an emotional support dog. He learned about marching bands with his son, Lucas, and enjoyed hearing about the science of growing wine grapes with his father, Greg, Sr.

Greg was very proud of his mom, Michele’s, dedicated community service as an elected member of the College of the Canyons Board of Trustees and a leader among the California State Community College Trustees.

Over the years, Greg was known for his eclectic fashion. His stylish pocket watches, colorful eyeglasses and Goorin Bros hats were his staple pieces. He took pride in sewing collectible patches onto his beloved jean jacket.

Friends noted that he seemed even more youthful when tooling around in his Dodge Challenger — a “midlife crisis” vehicle he loved. He continued to pursue his passion for music, fashion and curriculum planning for his Foothill High School classes throughout his illness.

Greg was fortunate to have the time to forge a close relationship with Mary Jane and Lucas, working in their classrooms for many years as a parent volunteer.

He was well-known at Washington Open Elementary School as the roller-skating character, “Zero the Hero,” who surprised students on the 100th day of school.

Greg was proud of his children’s accomplishments. He encouraged their creative endeavors such as painting and music. He wholeheartedly supported Lucas in his baritone performances at many symphonic band concerts and was proud of Mary Jane’s interest in vehicle restoration and mechanics.

As his children progressed in elementary school, Greg returned to San Jose State University to earn a K-12 teaching credential. He worked in a variety of schools and grade levels as a substitute teacher. He was hired to teach English at Foothill Continuation High School.

As was clear from all of the current and past students, teachers and administrators who spoke at a memorial they hosted on Sept. 4, he had found his calling. Greg impacted many lives as he taught English, cinema and mythology.

He felt his most profound achievement at Foothill was bringing field trips, such as when students were bused to Casa de Fruita for an unforgettable experience at the Renaissance Fair. Another point of pride was his role as the founding publisher and editor of the Foothill High School bi-yearly literary magazine.

Later, his excitement at teaching a Google-supplied curriculum helped earn “Hamilton” tickets at the San Francisco Orpheum Theater for 81 of his students. Greg taught himself the intricacies of technology and assisted the administrators of Foothill in selecting, purchasing and using audio equipment for the newly renovated Hooper Hall.

According to students and staff at Foothill, Greg was the “spark and inspiration” that made things happen and progress at the school.

When Greg was diagnosed with gastric cancer in April, he and all those who loved him were devastated. His sister, Lorian, an emergency room RN at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, provided calm, loving care for him.

Sleeping on a mattress on the floor next to his bed 24 hours a day, his wife, Jennifer, was also at his side 24/7, providing care and loving support throughout his illness.

When he finally decided the pain was too intractable and severe, surrounded by his family, in his own bed, listening to the music he loved, Greg died peacefully on the morning of August 29.

Greg’s family extends their gratitude to all of the individuals who have been there to provide emotional sustenance and to express love to Greg and all of his family through his illness and the last days of his life.

Gregory Dean Jenkins, Jr. was proud of his Chickasaw heritage. He lived according to the Native American proverb, “When you were born, you cried, and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.”

A celebration of Greg’s life is scheduled to be held at Foothill High School, located at 230 Pala Drive in San Jose, on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 10:30 a.m.

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