The Story of Daniel Jenks

Daniel Otis Jenks (95) passed away peacefully on February 13, 2023 with family at Woodridge

Nursing Home in Berlin, Vermont. Dan was born on August 8, 1927 to Otis and Dorothy

(Warrick) Jenks in Vestal, New York. He graduated from Vestal High School and joined the Coast

Guard in 1945 during World War II. Dan served his country again in 1952 during the Korean

War. He also made Western New York his home, living in Grand Island and Lockport, NY.

Dan started his career as a truckdriver in 1943 at the age of 16, hauling horses to rodeos. He

later drove long-haul trucks for Howard Matthews Trucking, Safeway, and Carolina Freight,

where he retired in 1991. Dan was an active member of the Teamsters Retirees in Western New

York, serving as the recording secretary for 20 years. He received a golden achievement award

from the American Truck Historical Society which was published in the Wheels of Time

magazine in 2013.

Daniel is survived by his son Todd Jenks, stepdaughter Pamela (Craver) Lapey and stepson

William Craver; grandchildren Laura (Jason) Woodard, Brian Craver, and Craig Craver; and two

great grandchildren Amelia and Lily Woodard. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara (Tom)

Ellis and her three children; Tom Jr, Kerry, and Kim. He is predeceased by his parents and two

sisters; Alice (Lowell) Brigham and Doris (Bud) Reagan, as well as his ex-wife Marion Jenks and

fond companion Fran DeMeester, whose family was a special part of Dan's life.

Dan was adventurous, doing rodeo, horse racing, stock car racing, hunting, and fishing. He

played golf in his later years. He enjoyed sports, especially motorsports, ham radio, and

reading. He attended many reunions and maintained lots of friendships from school and the

teamsters.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Guare & Sons Funeral Home in Montpelier, VT.

No services are planned at this time.

Memorial contributions on Dan's behalf can be directed to

Niagara County SPCA, 2100 Lockport Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14304. The family would like to

express gratitude to Debbie and Fred Rexford, Steve Kidney, and the many kind people that

cared for Dan at Lockport Rehab, Woodridge Nursing Home, and Central Vermont Home Health

and Hospice.