Born in Providence, Rhode Island, on November 7, 1945, Richard A. Jenks was the son of the late Elmer G. and Hortense (Sparky) Jenks. Richard was the loving husband of Sharon A. (Sherman) Jenks; they were married on August 15, 1992.

Richard was a lineman for Pascoag Utility District for 41 years. A lifetime member of the Pascoag Fire Department, he served as a firefighter and EMT for 33 years and 2 months.

Richard was veteran of the United States Air Force and served his country for 24 years in Vietnam, Thailand, Kuwait, and Southeast and Southwest Asia.

He was the father of sons, Gregory R. Jenks and Travis R. Jenks, both of Pascoag; three daughters, Wendy Jenks Chamberlin of Pascoag, Sandra Leplat of Pascoag, and Laura Baptista of Connecticut; and ten grandchildren, Taylor Chamberlin, Darren Jenks, Riley Chamberlin, Molly Jenks, Noah Jenks, Nathan Jenks, Michael Higginson, Bryan Higginson, Christian Higginson, and Alexis Leplat.