Ben Edward Jinkins

Ben Edward Jinkins, age 90, of Hendersonville, North Carolina passed away Monday, April 30^th, 2024 at home peacefully with family.

Ben served in the United States Air Force as a navigator and air traffic controller during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  He later served as a Master Sargent in the United States Air National Guard while stationed at Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta, Georgia.  In total, he served our country for 22 years.  Following military service, Ben worked for many years as an air traffic controller for the Asheville Regional Airport in western North Carolina.

His passions included automobile racing, restoration, and engine modification, especially his 1972 Gran Torino Sport.  Ben’s keen interests included restoring engines for lawn mowers and other small power equipment to return them to running condition.  For those who knew him well, he had a sweet tooth and taste for Hershey chocolates, an evening glass of red wine, and classic country music.

Ben was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Grace Jinkins; father, Oscar Newton Jinkins; mother, Easter Lillie Ensley Jinkins; sister, Lillie “Carolyn” Martin; daughter, Ellen Carol Adams, and stepson, Gerry Donald McGiboney.

Survivors include his son, John Jinkins of Maryland; granddaughters, Angie and Lilly Jinkins of Maryland; stepdaughter, Wanda “Lynn” Nagler of Cumming, Georgia; step-grandsons, Cary and Jaime Nagler of Cumming, Georgia; great-grandchildren, Isabel and Nicolaas Nagler, and close friends Tom Eastman and Bruce Phail of North Carolina.

Funeral Services for Mr. Jinkins will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, May 5^th, 2024 at Ingram Funeral Home Chapel in Cumming, Georgia with Rev. Greg Hamilton officiating.  Internment will be held at Western Carolina Veterans Cemetery, 962 Old US Hwy 70, Black Mountain, North Carolina 28711.  Date and time to be announced later.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Chapel located on 210 Ingram Ave. from 1:00pm until the funeral service begins at 2:00pm.