Ronald Duane Jenkins, “Ron” age 66, passed away at his home in Duchesne on August 28, 2023.
Ron was born March 28, 1957 in Duchesne, Utah to Norman D and Vivian Summers Jenkins. He married the love of his life, Janet L Keeton on June 7, 1975, they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on January 21, 1995.
Ron enjoyed being outdoors, camping, riding horses, and 4-wheeling. His greatest joy was his family. He cherished each one and loved spending time with them.
In Ron’s younger years he enjoyed riding horses with his cousins along the Duchesne river. That's where his love for horses began. He loved riding trails up in the High Uintahs with family and friends. He started working with his dad and brother Mike moving houses at a young age, and continued to do that for many years. Then at the age of 16 he had an opportunity to begin life working in the oilfield. Once he was old enough he started driving truck, and in 1997 he bought his own Rig up truck and that is what he did for a living until he retired in 2019. From that point on, his life became about the grandkids and great grandkids. He will always be known as “grandpa” a title he so proud of.
Ron seemed to take a special liking to the youth in our community and enjoyed being around them. Whether it was cutting wood on the mountain or watching them participate in high school sports. In 1997 Ron was asked to move the DHS spirit rock from D hill down to the high school with his semi truck. He was honored to place that rock in front of Duchesne High where it still sits today.
In 1992 he suffered a massive heart attack at the age of 35 that left him functioning with 50% of his heart, but that was the beginning of a new start for him. That is when he decided to turn his life around and strived to take his family to the temple, which he did 3 years later. He loved knowing that he could spend eternity with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Janet Keeton Jenkins, children, Sherry Lynn (Nick) Verduzco, Melinda Sue (Clint) Larsen, Lesley Marie (Elvis) Fernandez, 12 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 4 exchange students, his father, Norman Jenkins, and siblings, Michael “Mike” (Janet) Jenkins, Tammy Cox, and Lynette (Darrell) Sprecher.
He is preceded in death by his mom, Vivian Jenkins, and siblings, Marilyn Vee Jenkins, Karen Garcia, and Norman “Parm” Jenkins.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 1, 2023 at the Duchesne 1st & 3rd Ward Chapel. Viewings will be held at the church on Thursday, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., and Friday from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
Burial in the Duchesne City Cemetery.
