It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Edward Joseph Jenkins, 70, after his 20 month battle with Pancreatic Cancer. He passed peacefully at his home in Springfield, VA, surrounded by his beloved family. He is survived by his wife Fumiyo, his children Paul, Michael, and Catherine, his 4 grandchildren Brennen, Madeleine, Audrey, and Kylan, his mother Betty, and his 5 younger siblings.

Eddie, born in 1947, was raised in Charlottesville, VA, and earned his Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech before joining the Navy in 1969. It was this decision that would shape the rest of his life. Through a series of casual encounters, Ed would meet and fall in love with FumiyoOkuie. Within 10 months he had married and moved his new bride to Honolulu, HI to finish out his service.

After completing his Master’s Degree at George Washington University, he was hired as an assistant administrator at National Hospital for Orthopedics in Arlington, VA. Within 3 years, at age 31, he was named the President and CEO of the hospital where he would spend the next 20 years of his career. After the hospital was sold in 1996 Ed changed gears and left the Health Care industry for Information Technology, specializing in Data Base Administration.

Ed primarily enjoyed 2 hobbies, golf and running, of which he was far superior in the latter; completing his first full marathon at age 65. He was also a wonderful grandfather who enjoyed spending time being surrounded by his rambunctious grandchildren.

Never one to shy from adversity, Ed fought his cancer hard through nearly 18 months of continual chemotherapy, stopping only to spend time with his family on trips to the Bahamas, the Grand Canyon, and Walt Disney World, which came just 5 weeks prior to his death.

There are no words to describe the grace with which he lived his life. His infectious positivity and optimism were the foundation of his personality. He was a man of great faith, great compassion, and great love, all of which will be sorely missed by those who knew him. May he rest in peace.