Hugh Jenkins, 81, of Weldon Springs, Missouri, formerly of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Thursday, May 18, 2023. Hugh had lived in the area for the past several years, all of which were with his wife, Patricia Balsamo.

Hugh was born in Pewee Valley, Kentucky on June 12, 1941.  He grew up on his family's Dairy Farm in La Grange, Kentucky. He graduated from Oldham County High School and went on to earn a degree in accounting from Eastern Kentucky State College. After college, Hugh served as an officer and pilot for the United States Army from 1963 - 1966, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. While in Korea, he flew single engine Birddogs and Beaver airplanes, and spent his last year in the Army protecting the Korean Demilitarized Zone.

Once Hugh's military career was completed, he went on to become a pilot for TWA. He was based out of St. Louis for a majority of his 35 year career, retiring with TWA as a Captain.  Hugh raised his family in Kansas City, Missouri, spending their summers at the Lake of the Ozarks where he loved to boat and spend time on the water. When he wasn't flying, he enjoyed watching and rooting for his favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs. He also enjoyed attending farm auctions, collecting antique John Deere tractors, and taking his best friend Chloe Allen, his beloved Jack Russell, on long walks through the neighborhood.

Hugh is predeceased by his parents Joseph Hewitt and Annawood Hume Jenkins and his sister, Anna Beverly Jenkins Knapp. Hugh is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Balsamo and her children Melissa Balsamo, Cara Balsamo, and Joey Balsamo; Hugh's daughters from his first marriage, Julianne Jenkins (and husband John Arendt) of Stamford, Connecticut and Jana Jenkins Brinson Roberts (and husband Evan Roberts), her children Chance Brinson, Dylan Brinson and Garrett Brinson all of Fort Myers, Florida; his first wife and daughter's mother Joanne Jenkins of Fort Myers, Florida; his brothers Gerald Jenkins of Jacksonville, Florida and Robert L. Jenkins of Florence, Alabama, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri on June 15, 2023.