Our Hero

David Woodrow Jenkins passed from death to eternal life on June 8, 2025 at the age of 78. Many knew him as Poodukes, but he preferred The Mighty Poo.

Born on November 16, 1946 to Joseph and Dorothy Jenkins, David was not one to sit idle, giving Dot a challenge raising him. She managed it with amazing grace.

At a young age he learned everything York River and continued to harvest from it until Jesus came to escort him “HOME.”

He joined the U.S. Army in 1966 becoming a decorated war hero, earning several awards and metals to include: National Defense medal, Vietnam Campaign service medal, Vietnam service medal, Expert Rifle (M-14), and the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on September 2, 1967 in the Republic of Vietnam.

He worked numerous times for Norfolk Dredging Company at various jobs along the eastern seaboard. This included a trip to Stuart, Florida, in a converted bread truck with his wife, twin babies, Sparkplug, Sparkplug’s Doberman and a motorcycle.

While living in Georgia he caught what he claimed were the biggest crabs he had ever seen and taught his boss Daryl Watson how to shed soft crabs commercially.

In 1984 he continued his service to his country as an explosive’s operator in the ordnance department of the Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown with Merton West as his supervisor. During his tenure he was awarded several special act awards, including: Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and a meritorious service award in March 1992 while investigating the explosion on the Iowa while it was docked in Greece.

David was preceded in death by his parents and infant daughter, Cheryl. We know he is overjoyed to be reunited with them and his other family members. He leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Cathy; his children, Rodger, Rita, Johnny, Amanda, Jennifer and Erica; grandchildren, Aries, Phoenix, Athena, James, Leighann, Sheryl, Sebastian, Dalton, Sarah and Olivia; great-grandchildren, Eli and Skyleigh. He also leaves his sister, Judy, and brother, William Joe, all of whom he greatly loved and adored. He cherished anytime spent with them, and all other extended family members, dear friends and neighbors.

As we rejoice that he is healed from all earthly limitations that he endured, all are welcome to a Celebration of his Life on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Union Baptist Church, 9254 Guinea Road, Hayes, Va. 23072 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Union Baptist Church’s food ministry where he volunteered with his second family.