Ronald Dee Jenkins' Obituary
On August 12, 2018 Ronald Dee Jenkins left this world to return to the side of his beloved sweetheart of 63 years, Virginia Whittaker Jenkins. Ron passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Just one month earlier he was driving to meet friends every morning. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, his brother Nord Allen Jenkins and his son Barry Rexford Jenkins. He is survived by 6 children, Jeanne-Lauree Olsen, Highland, UT; Rhonda (Mark) Skidmore of Mesa, AZ, currently serving a mission in New Delhi, India; Russell Nord Jenkins, San Marcos, CA; Mary Kathryn, aka Kathy (Jon) Skidmore, Orem, UT; Brian Earl Jenkins, Orem, UT and Christopher (aka Tiffer) Allen Jenkins (Jenna), Parker, CO. They have 29 grandchildren and over 50 great grandchildren.
Ronald was born to Sarah Jeanette Allen and Edmund Dee Jenkins in Salina, UT on 19 April 1927. He and his brother Nord were raised in Kingston UT by his single mother and several aunts and uncles. Ron attended Piute High School where he met the love of his life Virginia. He was a year older and went off to radio school in California for his senior year and then was in the merchant marines at the end of WWII as a radio operator.
They continued their courtship via letters and phone calls. Virginia even rearranged the school’s senior prom so Ron would be in town and could be her date. They were married on Sept. 10, 1947 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Dad’s first job after they were married was at Geneva Steel, Orem, UT. But soon after they settled in Circleville, UT and Ron worked for Virginia’s dad Rex Whittaker where they started their family. Four children were born there before deciding to move to San Diego, CA. Ron sold vacuum cleaners door to door until he secured a job at the Convair Division of General Dynamics where he was a respected member of the team that build the first Atlas Missile launched into space. He received a number of awards for his skill as a troubleshooter on his job.
They lived in Kearny Mesa, CA until 1962, where two more children were born. They then returned to the family home in Circleville where Ron worked for Rex and at the saw mill in Panguitch, UT as an electrician. He was a farmer, rancher, horseman, electrician and plumber. He even spent 6 months in Vietnam during the war as a civilian contractor. He was responsible for coordinating all of the radio communications between the different military services.
He dabbled in business which included owning the Circleville gas station. He continued to work part-time as a plumber at Told Plumbing until age 83. He was a people person, loved to talk and was loved many friends and family.
Funeral services will be held Wed. August 15, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Ward Chapel, 891 West 130 North, Orem, UT. There will be no viewing, but there will be a family meet and greet at the chapel at 10:00 a.m., prior to the service.
What’s your fondest memory of Ronald?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ronald?
Share a story where Ronald's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ronald you’ll never forget.
How did Ronald make you smile?
