Doraville mayor Jenkins dies
- 2/3/11
- Categorized in: DeKalb News
Doraville Mayor Ray Jenkins, 80, died Wednesday, Feb. 2. He had recently been hospitalized with pneumonia.
Jenkins was elected to the Doraville City Council from District 2 in 1974. He was
elected mayor in 2003 and re-elected in 2007. His current term ends at the end of this year.
A native of Doraville, Jenkins attended the old Doraville School for several years and he graduated from Chamblee High School.
Jenkins served two tours of duty during the Korean Conflict and received an honorable discharge in 1954.
After his discharge, Jenkins returned to Doraville and began a career with
the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1986. Jenkins leaves a wife, three children and four grandchildren.
As a city councilman, Jenkins was instrumental in setting the Doraville’s millage rate
at a time when most homeowners paid no city taxes on their residences. He was a key supporter of the Doraville parks program and founded the city’s Animal Control Service.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 5, from 5-8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 6, from 2-5 p.m. at H.M. Patterson Funeral Home-Oglethorpe Hills, at 4550 Peachtree Rd. NE in Atlanta. The funeral is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 7, at Oglethorpe Hills. Burial will follow at Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Veterans Cemetery Road in Canton.
However, in subsequent years I had the opportunity to work with him on community issues. Whether one agreed with him or not, he took interest in other people and always respected and considered their points of view. He was a very fair individual and dedicated to serving the public. He certainly did not take on that headache of a role as mayor for the money or stepping-stone to other positions. He did it because he loved the people of Doraville. It is hard to find a public servant as selfless in this day and age.