Obituary
Rodney Leon Jenks
July 11th, 1947 - January 11th, 2021
Rodney Leon Jenks, 73, passed away January 11, 2021, in Tucson, Arizona. He was born July 11, 1947, to Rulon Leon Jenks and Elva Marie Ricks Jenks in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was raised in Pocatello Idaho and graduated from Pocatello High School. He served an LDS mission to San Diego, California.
He married Marlene Durrant on July 10, 1970, in the Idaho Falls Temple. They had six children. They were married for 38 years and later divorced. He then married Linda Harper Garrett on May 18, 2009. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on November 15, 2014.
He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served in numerous callings throughout his life with his favorite being in scouts or with the youth. He often took groups water-skiing, sledding, and camping.
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 had a smile to light up anyone’s day and a witty remark to make you laugh.
Rodney was an avid outdoors man. He loved camping, hunting, fishing, cooking, gardening, and anything that allowed him to spend time with his family. He worked as a realtor/broker for Century 21 Advantage. He spent the last several years as a campground manager, fulfilling his lifelong dream of camping full time and getting paid to do it. He was a master dutch oven chef and perfected his signature caramelized chicken and potatoes.
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; step-children: Denny (Tasha) Garrett, Ted (Amy) Garrett, Susan (Scott) Varney, Stacy Erickson, Michelle (Brian) Shirley, Sarah (Josh) Allred; sisters: Cheryl (Vern) Lewis, Marae O’Brien, Michelle (Steve) Davis, and Teri Jones. He had 49 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
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 Delores Harper, granddaughters Rachel Garrett and Rose Allred, and grandson Jacob Varney.
Funeral services will be held Friday, January 22, 2021. A viewing will be held from 8:30-10:00am followed by the funeral at 10:00am at the St. David LDS Stake Center, 381 N Pomerene Rd. in Benson, Arizona. Burial will follow at the St. David Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Richardson’s Remembrance Center.
