Kevin Jenn

Kevin Jenn, 68, of New Bern, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2026.

Kevin was born on August 7, 1958, in Glen Cove, New York, and grew up on Long Island in the hamlet of Hauppauge. From an early age, he possessed the kind of curious, analytical mind that wanted to understand how things worked—a quality that would shape both his career and many of the things he enjoyed throughout his life.

Following high school, Kevin attended SUNY Utica, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He began his professional career with Grumman Corporation as an electrical engineer, a career that would take him from Long Island to Virginia and Illinois before eventually bringing him and his family to New Bern in 2012. Here, Kevin continued his work in civil service at Fleet Readiness Center East aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, where he remained until his retirement at the end of 2023.

Kevin took tremendous pride in his work and approached his responsibilities with seriousness, precision, and dedication. Throughout his career, he worked with a number of different aircraft, but the F-14 Tomcat always held a special place among his favorites. Although Kevin never wore the uniform himself, he was deeply proud of the role he played in supporting the men and women who did. He understood that his work mattered, and he gave it the very best he had.

Engineering was more than Kevin’s profession—it was simply part of who he was. He loved being in the lab, working with electronics, solving problems, and tinkering until he figured something out. That same meticulous nature followed him home, where he maintained a remarkably organized workshop in his garage and spent countless hours restoring antique tube radios.

For all the things Kevin accomplished professionally, however, the most important part of his life began rather unexpectedly—with a stale donut.

Kevin met the love of his life, Karen, at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Smithtown, New York, where she worked helping make the donuts. One day, Kevin returned to the shop to complain that the donuts he had purchased were stale. Karen happened to overhear him and offered him some she had just baked, still fresh and warm.

Apparently, they made quite an impression.

Kevin began returning to the shop, and somewhere along the way, his interest shifted from the donuts to the beautiful young lady making them. A friendship developed, Kevin eventually asked Karen on a date, and the rest truly was history. Together, they shared 33 years of marriage and built a life centered around love, family, and caring for one another.

Their family grew first with the arrival of their daughter, Laura Nicole, and later their son, Matthew. Kevin embraced fatherhood wholeheartedly. He was present and involved, freely giving his children one of the greatest gifts a father can give—his time. He was loving, dependable, protective, and devoted to making sure his family always knew they were cared for.

At home, Kevin was never one to believe something was somebody else’s job. If something needed to be done, he did it. If someone needed help, he helped. If there was a problem, Kevin looked for a way to solve it.

That was simply his nature.

In fact, those closest to Kevin say much of his personality could be summed up in one phrase: “he went above and beyond.” Whether it was for his wife and children, another family member, a friend, or someone he worked alongside, Kevin wanted the people in his life to be safe, protected, and cared for. He took that responsibility personally.

When he wasn't working or spending time with his family, Kevin could usually find something mechanical or electronic to capture his attention. He loved classic cars and was especially proud of his 1968 Cadillac Eldorado. At one point in his life, he enjoyed riding motorcycles and owned a Harley-Davidson. His fascination with vehicles extended to smaller versions as well, with Kevin collecting model trains and toy race cars over the years.

Whether it was an aircraft, an old radio, a classic automobile, or something sitting on his workbench waiting to be repaired, Kevin appreciated craftsmanship. He enjoyed understanding how things fit together and took satisfaction in making something work the way it was supposed to.

Kevin was also a man of faith. A Catholic, he held his faith close throughout his life and, in more recent years, enjoyed worshipping at St. Paul Catholic Church in New Bern.

Kevin leaves behind a life marked not by fanfare, but by faithfulness—the faithfulness of a husband who loved his wife, a father who gave generously of himself to his children, a professional who believed in doing his work well, and a man who could always be counted upon to go a little farther and do a little more for the people he cared about.

Those who knew Kevin will remember his intelligence and attention to detail, his love for machines and electronics, his dedication to his work, and perhaps even the beautifully organized workshop in his garage. But most of all, his family will remember the man behind all of those things: a loving husband, a devoted father, a protector, a provider, and someone whose actions continually said, “You matter to me, and I will take care of you.”

Kevin is survived by his beloved wife, Karen; his daughter, Laura Nicole; his son, Matthew Owen; his sister, Janine N. Jenn; and his brother, Richard Reynolds.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at Bennett Funeral & Cremation Care, 3310 Trent Road, New Bern, NC 28562.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at Greenleaf Memorial Park Lakeside Chapel, 900 River Road, Trent Woods, NC 28562 with Chaplain Angel Lorton officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in Kevin’s memory to the Dementia Society of America or to a charity of one’s choice.

Kevin spent a lifetime working with things that required precision—circuits, aircraft, radios, and machines. Yet his greatest work had nothing to do with electronics or engineering. It was the life he built with Karen, the children he loved, the family he protected, and the countless ways he quietly went above and beyond for those fortunate enough to be part of his life.

And that is a legacy built to last.

Bennett Funeral & Cremation Care is honored to serve the family and friends of Kevin Jenn.