Some might call it ironic that Chester Jenkins came into the world and left it on the same day: July 14.

Jenkins was 71 years old when he died Tuesday. Between the time he was born in 1938 and died more than seven decades later, Jenkins would become a major fixture in Durham's history.

The citizens of the city elected him mayor in 1989. It was the first time an African American held that office in Durham.

"I feel we've lost a good friend," Durham Mayor Bill Bell said. "I think he sort of paved the way for persons such as myself to come into positions -- African American mayors as part of the city."

Neither elected officials nor friends would confirm how Jenkins died. Many learned of his ill health at a committee meeting earlier this week.

"We do know that he was moved from hospital to home, and that was a signal," Councilman Howard Clement III said.

Clement served next to him from 1983 until 1991 when Jenkins left office.

"There were other black mayors: David Dinkins in New York, Norman Rice in Seattle, Doug Wilder ... who was my classmate in law school [who] became governor of Virginia," Clement said. "With Chester -- all that happened in the same timeframe. So it was quite a historic moment in America's political history."

Funeral services for Chester Jenkins are set for Monday, July 20 at 1 p.m. at Union Baptist Church at 904 North Roxboro Street in Durham. Visitation starts an hour earlier.