Dr. Michael Bruce Jenkins, MD, PhD, age 82, passed away peacefully on July 14th, 2025, in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Born on March 27th, 1943 in Troy, North Carolina, Dr. Jenkins-known to many as Mike-led a life marked by service, intellect and compassion. After graduating early from high school, he answered the call to serve his country with honor in the United Stated Marine Corps. Following his military service, he pursued higher education with unwavering dedication. He was accepted into the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for both undergraduate studies and medical school. There, he also earned a PhD in cardiovascular physiology and graduated summa cum laude.
Driven by a passion for healing and innovation, Dr. Jenkins continued his training at the University of Colorado in Denver where he completed a rigorous residency in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. His journey then took him to Everett, Washington, where he played a pivotal role in establishing and advancing the region’s open-heart surgical program-a legacy that continues to impact countless lives.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mike was a man of many passions. He was an avid yachtsman who found joy navigating open waters and a devoted golfer who cherished time on the green, a skilled gardener and veracious reader he cultivated both beauty and knowledge throughout his life. His love for travel and scuba diving reflected his adventurous spirit and deep appreciation for the natural world.
Mike’s compassion extended far beyond the operating room. He was known for his generosity and kindness- not only to people but also to animals. Throughout his life, he shared profound bonds with his dogs, who brought him comfort and companionship.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife Tamara Jenkins; daughter, Laurie Jenkins and her wife, Lisa McCurdy; son, Mike Jenkins, Jr.; step-son, Scott Hill and his wife, Kathryn along with their children, Liam and Aubrey; and stepdaughter, Ashley McMaster and her husband, Taylor along with their children, Thatcher, Finnegan, Eloise and Adelaide.
Doctor Jenkins is preceded in death by his parents, Bruce McLeod and Annie Laurie Jenkins; his younger brother, Gregory Lee Jenkins; as well as several beloved aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins.
A celebration of life will be announced at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider adopting, fostering or donating to your local animal shelter.
May Dr. Jenkins’ memory be a source of comfort to all who knew him and enduring inspiration to those whose lives he touched through medicine, friendship and love.
Poem from Daughter, Laurie:
Every year
Everything
I have ever learned
in my lifetime
leads back to this; the fires
and the black river of loss
whose other side
is salvation,
whose meaning
none of us will ever know.
To live in this world
you must be able
to do three things;
to love what is mortal;
to hold it
Against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
And when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.
“In Blackwater Woods” by Mary Oliver
Words of Remembrance from Scott:
He was a beacon of love and generosity, often taking me away
on unforgettable adventures. His curiosity sparked mine,
teaching me to find wonder in the world. Those journeys shaped
me and now, as a parent, I strive to mirror his spirt. Taking my
kids on quests that ignite their imagination- just as he did for me.
His love lived on in every story I share and every path we explore together.
Rest in Peace- you will forever be my guide.
Scott
Online condolences may be left at: www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
