Bartow Jenkins, the beloved teacher, coach and long-time mayor of Lawrenceville, died at age 81 early yesterday morning. "Coach" Jenkins has been a fixture in Lawrenceville and Gwinnett county since the mid-50's. Serving as a teacher in Lawrenceville from 1954 to 1974, then as the first football coach and the creator of the driver's education program at Central Gwinnett High School. Virtually anyone who grow up in Lawrenceville has memories of "Coach" Jenkins, including Lawrenceville's current Mayor Rex Millsaps, who was a student of "Coach" Jenkins.
In addition to his service to the young people of Lawrenceville and Gwinnett county, he helped to shape the future of the city and county with his long-time service as a heavily-involved civic leader. First serving as a member of city council and then county commissioner before beginning his 14-year stint as Lawrenceville's mayor. Many young people growing up in Lawrenceville only remember one mayor, because he served in that office the whole time they were growing up.
My wife and her family are among the many Lawrenceville natives who have fond memories of "Coach" Jenkins. Though my wife never had "Coach" Jenkins as a teacher because he left Central Gwinnett in 1976 to become the first principal of Parkview High School, his influence was strong enough among her older friends and upper class to remain a part Central Gwinnett's personality for years to come. He later went on to become the director of athletics for the Gwinnett County Public Schools.
After reading the Gwinnett Daily Post headlines this morning about his death, my wife commented that "Coach" Jenkins' funeral will be a very well-attended event, which will include all of the past and present influential business, government and civic leaders within Lawrenceville and Gwinnett county, as well as many average citizens touched by his many years of service to this community.
The Gwinnett Daily Post is requesting input on their website of memories, stories and reflections that citizens may have about "Coach" Jenkins. Go to GwinnettDailyPost.com
Original post at GwinnettDwellings.com
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