Dr. Jenks Britt, who practiced veterinary medicine in Russellville for over two decades, fathered three outstanding student-athletes at Russellville High School, and became head of the Department of Agriculture at WKU, accumulated a myriad of honors before his death Sunday at age 72.
As a Warren County native, Jenks attended Western Kentucky University where he studied Animal Sciences and founded the AGR fraternity. Upon completion of his undergraduate work, he attended Auburn University where he earned a Doctorate in Veterinarian Medicine.
He moved to Russellville in 1970 where he joined the Logan County Animal Clinic as a partner serving the regional livestock community for over 20 years. Dr. Britt served as President of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) and received the coveted Bovine Practitioner of the year award in 1992, was honored as the Kentucky Veterinary Practitioner of the Year in 1993, and was named the Western Kentucky University Alumnus of the Year (twice).
As a practitioner, Dr. Britt developed a bovine embryo transfer technique that revolutionized and advanced beef and dairy management in the livestock industry.
Ever the teacher, Dr. Britt touched the lives of several hundred future veterinarians as a professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in 1993, where he served until 1999.
Dr. Britt returned to Western Kentucky University (WKU) as a professor in the school of agriculture and animal sciences where he also served as Dean of the College of Agriculture, retiring in 2008. Following his retirement from WKU, Dr. Britt served as a dairy industry consultant for the United States and Mexico.
Over his career he received numerous accolades including the prestigious Auburn University El Toro Award for animal health and nutrition. He received The Wilford S Bailey Distinguished Alumni Award from Auburn University in 2009. Dr. Britt was inducted to the Warren County Schools Hall of Fame in 2013. In 2015, he was named to the Cattle Production Veterinarian Hall of Fame. Exhibiting his love for mentoring and education he was selected as The Merck Animal Health Mentoring Award recipient in 2011.
He and his wife Kathy were parents of three sons. The older two, David and Andy, were recently named among the 50 Greatest Players in Russellville football history. David’s 1987 Panthers were state runner-up. Andy’s 1990 team won the state championship. David played for the Naval Academy and went on to a high-ranking career in the U.S. Navy. Andy served as captain of the University of Kentucky Wildcats.
Youngest brother Matt also played football and used his dynamic personality as a sports journalist for a while. He’s a graduate of WKU.
Jenks and Jack Britt were among the last athletes at Warren County High School before it consolidated into Warren Central High School. They grew up on a family farm on Smallhouse Road before it became one of Bowling Green’s most used side roads. Their parents, Jenks and Madeline Britt, then moved to a farm in Simpson County on the Russellville side of Franklin on KY 100.
Dr. Britt is survived by his wife, Kathy Britt, mother, Madeline Hammer, along with his twin brother Jack and sister Suzanne, sons J. David Britt (Kristen), R. Andrew Britt (Gina) and Matthew F. Britt (Kristi). He leaves behind seven grandchildren, Hayden, Jenks, Eden, Andrew, Lila, Marin, and Jonas.
Funeral services for Dr. Britt will be held on Friday, Jan. 19, at 11 a.m. at State Street United Methodist Church in Bowling Green with burial to follow at Fairview Cemetery.
Jenks Britt and retired Russellville pharmacist Buddy Duncan were roommates at Creekwood in Russellville during their last year of life. Their funerals are the same day.