Rodney Leon Jenks

Rodney Leon Jenks

1947-2021

Rodney Leon Jenks, son of Rulon Leon and Elva Marie Ricks Jenks, was born on July 11, 1947 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He lived in Lewiston, ID with his parents on his Grandma and Grandpa Ricks farm. When he was young, he moved to Pocatello, ID and graduated from Highland High School 1965. He was called on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served first in Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona, then Southern California. That is where he met the Harper family.

After his mission, he attended Ricks College and Idaho State University. He married Marlene Durrant July 10, 1970 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They were blessed with six children: Rodney Jr, Jody, Kristy, Jeff, Todd, and Monica. Rod worked for the Union Pacific RR for five years, and then went into Real Estate. His family moved from Pocatello, to Moreland, then Idaho Falls, ID. Rod became a partner and broker for Century 21 Advantage in Idaho Falls.

He married Linda Susan Harper on May 18th 2009 in Jackson Hole WY, and they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on November 15th 2014. Their family doubled in size with Linda’s children; Dennis, Ted, Susan, Stacy, Shelley, and Sarah.

As a child Rod, His family lived in the beautiful mountains that surround Pocatello where his childhood was filled with adventures. Rod adored his children and reared them with the same sense of adventure. He was innately spiritual and felt closest to Heavenly Father when he was in the mountains. Rod was an avid outdoorsman. 

He loved camping, hunting, fishing, cooking, gardening, and anything that allowed him to spend time with his family.  He spent the last several years as a campground manager with his wife Linda, fulfilling his lifelong dream of camping fulltime and getting paid to do it. He was a master dutch oven chef and perfected his signature caramelized chicken and potatoes.

He was a kind and gentle man. He loved to serve others. He would often leave groceries on doorsteps or even give away his car to someone in greater need. He truly was one of the kindest men. His heart was five times bigger than most. He was a hard worker who always would be the first to get up and get the job done.  He had a smile to light up anyone’s day and a witty remark to make you laugh.

Rodney Leon Jenks, 73, passed away January 11, 2021 in Tucson, Arizona.

He is preceded in death by his parents Rulon and Elva Jenks, brother David Jenks, sister Marcia Anderson, brother-in-law Russ O’Brien, father and mother-in-law Vaughn and Dolores Harper, granddaughters Rachel Garrett and Rose Allred, and grandson Jacob Varney.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; his children: Rodney (Jamie) Jenks Jr, Jody (Nick) Dalley, Kristy (Troy) Milton, Jeff Jenks, Todd (Mandy) Jenks, and Monica (Bruce) Martin; Dennis (Tasha) Garrett, Ted (Amy) Garrett, Susan (Scott) Varney, Stacy Erickson, Michelle (Brian) Shirley, Sarah (Joshua) Allred; sisters: Cheryl (Vern) Lewis, Marae O’Brien, Michelle (Steve) Davis, and Teri Jones. He had 49 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 22, 2021. A viewing will be held from 9:00-10:00am followed by the funeral at 10:00am at the St. David LDS Chapel, 640 W. Patton St, St David, AZ. Burial will follow at the St. David Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Richardson’s Remembrance Center.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation through the following Venmo, @Linda-Jenks-17.

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