Fred O. Jenkins

Fred O Jenkins, 76, left his earthly bounds on May 9, 2026, surrounded by family. Fred was born in Hobbs, NM, on January 7, 1950, to Harold C. and Edna D. (Buzbee) Jenkins.

Fred grew up in Hobbs, graduating in 1967 from Hobbs High School where he was active in orchestra and Aviation Club. It was through the Aviation Club that he was able to pursue his love of flying, qualifying for his Private Pilot license one day after his 17th birthday.

Fred attended New Mexico Junior College from 1967-1970 and then Texas Tech University, graduating in 1972 with a BBA in Accounting.

During his time at Texas Tech Fred became friends with people who were interested in CB radio and were members of the Tech Citizen’s Radio Society. Fred became involved in this hobby and joined this organization. It was due to this hobby and many visits to Radio Shack that Fred got to know and became very close friends with Jesse Williams, manager of the Hobbs Radio Shack.

After graduation from Texas Tech Fred returned to Hobbs and worked at the local Radio Shack store and then as manager of the Radio Shack store in Roswell. It was during his time in Roswell that Fred became aware of the New Mexico Mounted Patrol and discovered his love for law enforcement. Fred applied for membership in the NMMP, but before the process was completed he returned to Hobbs. He was accepted into the NMMP troop in Hobbs in late 1973.

Fred continued working for Radio Shack in Hobbs and then as a teller for New Mexico Bank & Trust Co. During this time Fred put in many hours of volunteer duty through the Mounted Patrol working with Hobbs Police Department patrol officers and dispatchers. This only increased his interest in a law enforcement career. Fred applied for a job with the police department as a dispatcher and was hired in June 1974. He remained in that position and continued to volunteer with the Mounted Patrol in his off time until November 1974, when he was offered the position of purchasing officer, a certified police officer position, for Hobbs PD.

After 21½ years, Fred completed his career with retirement from Hobbs PD in December 1995.

During his career Fred served in many areas of the department, including dispatch/records, purchasing officer, patrol officer, SWAT team member and ending as computer specialist for the department.

The advent of affordable personal computers rekindled Fred’s interest in computer and computer programming that he was introduced to while attending New Mexico Junior College. Fred was instrumental in introducing the benefits of the PC to the department for daily activities. He was also strong proponent of developing a computerized records system for the department. In 1981 there weren’t many options for small platform police systems. Fred obtained the training needed and developed the first police records system used by Hobbs Police Department on the IBM System/38 mainframe.

Upon retirement from the police department, Fred went to work for Creative Computer Resources. This company provided computer-aided dispatch and records management system software for multiple law enforcement agencies around the state. In 2003 the owner of CCR retired and Fred continued the business as Creative Computer Response, supporting various law enforcement agencies with the dispatch and records systems.

Growing up in Hobbs Fred enjoyed the many good times spent with his dad on their many fishing trips and bowling. His dad’s love of bowling was instilled in Fred at an early age.

Fred joined a bantam league at age 8 and continued bowling until 2010 when health problems prevented further active participation. Although unable to bowl, Fred continued to work for the sport. During his bowling career Fred served as league secretary for many years in 2 different local leagues, board member and association manager for the Hobbs Bowling Association, which later became Lea County USBC Association from 1982 to present. He also was a member of the New Mexico Bowling Association from 1988-2006 in offices of director, vice-president and president, New Mexico Youth Bowling Association from 1992-2006 as director and vice-president, New Mexico USBC Association from 2006-2016 as director and vice-president.

Fred enjoyed the time he spent almost daily with friends Raoul McPeters (until his death), Marshall Newman, and Jim Morrison, at Casey’s during breakfast.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents Fred & Sophie Jenkins and Haywood & Allie Buzbee, Uncle D.A. Buzbee and Aunt Marjorie Buzbee.

He is survived by his wife, Shaunda, of the home; their son Chris (Ashley) Jenkins of Hobbs; two granddaughters, Cheyenne (Kolbe) King of Hobbs, and Ashley Jenkins of Aubrey, Tx; two great-grandchildren, Gabriel King and Isabelle King of Hobbs.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.