Byrl Thornton Jenkins on his 90th birthday. October 5, 1999.
This portrait of my Dad was made on his 90th birthday, October 5, 1999, on
the front porch of his home, holding his Bible, and with a background of fall
foliage. I used a Hasselblad 500CM and 150mm f4 Zeiss lens with Fuji NPH color negative
film rated at ISO 320. I love this photograph because it shows the basic
sweetness of the man.
Today is the 25th anniversary of his passing.
Dad
was a polymath. An electronics technician by profession, he was also a
keen student of the Bible who pastored small churches for much of his adult
life. But his learning went far beyond the Scriptures. An Eagle Scout in
his youth, he had only two years of college but read and studied deeply
in many fields -- nature, medicine, philosophy -- he could discourse
intelligently on almost any subject. As a writer, he wrote voluminously
on Biblical subjects. He was a lover of classical music and was a concert-level whistler.
At his funeral, the pastor, who himself had
advanced degrees, said "Mr. Jenkins was probably the most intelligent
man I ever met."
He was also an avid photographer and camera collector; infecting both me, his oldest son, and Phil, his
youngest, with the photo bug. Phil is a bird and wildlife photographer
of great ability.
My father in his mid-80s. Always looking ahead.
Dad
was was
always young, always looking ahead to the next challenge. At the age of
89 he was
operating two flea-market mall booths. On the last day we spent
together, just
a month before he died, we spent the day shopping for a computer system
so he
could go online and sell his antiques. Yet Dad was sick. About a year
before, his small intestine telescoped into itself and only emergency
surgery saved his life. From that point on he had persistent diarrhea,
taking his weight down a good 50 pounds. As we shopped on that last day
together he had to look for a restroom just about every hour. But he
never quit.
Dad
passed away on February 21,
2000. As I reach my late 80s, the goal of my life is, as it has always
been, to emulate my father's faith, courage, and perseverance.
Visit my online gallery at https://davejenkins.pixels.com/
Signed copies of my book Backroads and Byways of Georgia
are available. The price is $22.95 plus $3.95 shipping. My PayPal
address is djphoto@vol.com (which is also my email). Or you can mail a check to 8943
Wesley Place, Knoxville, TN 37922. Include your address and tell me how
you would like your book inscribed.
Photography and text copyright 1999-2025 David B.Jenkins.
I post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday unless life gets in the way.
Great testimony about your dad!
ReplyDeleteRoy
Thanks, Roy.
ReplyDeleteDave