Joshua Jenkins

JOSH JENKINS IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Joshua Jack Jenkins, 21, of Idaho Falls, passed away January 17, 2009, in an avalanche on Mt. Jefferson, on the Montana side of Island Park, Idaho. He was born December 29, 1987, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Curtis Leon Jenkins and Launa Louise Wilkins Jenkins. He grew up and attended schools in Idaho Falls, and graduated from Skyline High School and was enrolled at Brigham Young University-Idaho at the time of his death. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he recently returned from an honorable full-time LDS mission to Bangkok, Thailand, where he grew to love the Thai people. Over the years he has helped his father with their family farm and ranch in New Sweden. Josh loved snowmobiling, motorcycles, playing football for Skyline, working on the ranch, farming with his dad, sharing the gospel, and spending time with his family and friends. Survivors include: Parents: Curt & Launa Jenkins, Idaho Falls, ID Sister: Kayla Jenkins, Idaho Falls, ID Sister: Kelsey Jenkins, Idaho Falls, ID Grandparents: Oral & Bonnie Elser of Grant, ID Grandmother: Sandy Jenkins of Idaho Falls, ID Great Grandfather: Elwood Wilkins of Coltman, ID He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Jack Jenkins and Blair Wilkins, and his great grandparents, Jay & Dorothy Tyler, Leo & Myrtle Jenkins, Myron & Fontella Cook, and Alyce Wilkins. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 23, 2009, at the Idaho Falls LDS Pioneer Ward, 2020 South Charlotte, with Bishop Anthony Passino officiating. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge, and Friday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the New Sweden Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to the Josh Jenkins Memorial Fund in care of any branch of U. S. Bank. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Pat & Rexann Nielsen Rex_ann@msn.com Dear Curt, Launa, and girls, We are so sorry! We have been praying for you and thinking about you. We love you and we will continue to pray for you. We love your family and we would love to help in anyway. Our heart hurts for you. All our love, Pat & Rexann Nielsen (Judy's sister) Mike & Debbie Reed We are so saddened to hear about your son. Your family has been in our thoughts and prayers since we heard about the accident. God bless you at this very difficult time and know that there are many who love your family pray for your comfort at this time. Mike & Debbie Reed Meghan Lushbaugh besties4life80@yahoo.com I'm very sorry about your loss. He was a great guy. My family and I are there for you, we are praying for you. We love your family! I love you Kelsey and don't forget that. Bert and Berdeen Creasey bandb@creasey.myrf.net Curt and Launa, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Bert and Berdeen Creasey Kim Lords slordsfamily@yahoo.com Curt and Launa, Our Hearts are sadden to hear of Josh's passing, Our hearts and prayers are with you all. Love, Stan and Kim Lords Jolene Holverson kjholv@hotmail.com Know of my love and prayers for your family at this time. Carolyn White cwhite2002@hotmail.com Our hearts and prayers are with your family at this time. We know the pain you are going thru. We lost our 25 yr.old son Ryan in the same spot 2 years ago on New Years Day. Our Love, The White Family - Doug & Carolyn, Rick, Victoria, Kelly, Alexandria. Bountiful, Utah Blake & Gene Hill Curt & Launa, we are so very sorry to hear about Josh. You are always in our prayer,and we know Father in Heaven will help you through this loss. Your family has always held a special place in our hearts. May the comforting sprit be with you always. Curtis & Sheri Johnson johnsoncu@byui.edu Curt and Launa and family Our hearts are broken and words seem inadequate to exspress our condolences and love for all of you at this time. You have to be proud of all Josh stood for and all he accomplished in such a short time here in mortality. He always rose to the challenges placed before him and was never satisfied with anything less than his best. We appreciate the example he has continued to set for our family as well as countless others. From scouting to his honorable service as a missionary he was second to none. Our Heavenly Father has to be so pleased and no doubt has even greater work that He needs done on the other side. Josh is more than ready and qualified for the work. You have trained him well and he possess all that he needs to continue the greater mission he now serves. He will be missed more than words can say but remember he is only a prayer away.We pray for the Lord's love to comfort and sustain you in your times of need. Most Sincerely, The Johnson Family Debra Walters wothe1956@hotmail.com My prayers are with you. I got to know Josh when he would come into the Polaris shop in Island Park. What a great kid. The LeRoy Wheeler Girls Curt and Launa, We, (Paige, Holli, Heidi, Brooke, and Mom [Joyce], want to let you know how much we are thinking of you and your family. Curt, you have been a big brother to us all from the day we moved to New Sweden and we love you very much. You have been there for all of our tragedies and we want you to know we are there for you. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you and your family very much. Love always, the Wheeler Girls Ken, Dana, Chase, Jaidon, & Kylie Quinton Curt & Launa - We are so sorry for your loss. We love your family so much. We loved being in your ward and miss you guys dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Ken & Dana Quinton Family Diane Wilkie M. lewis@icp.doe.gov My family and I are so sadden to hear of Josh's accident and death. Please accept of condolences, our prayers and thoughts are with each of his family members and all his friends who dearly loved him including my som Mike Lewis. God be with you all. Mike and Angie Hodges Dear Jenkins Family, Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to you. We are so sorry to hear about Josh please let us know if there is anything we can do for you, were right down the street. Our Deepest Sympathy, Mike & Angie Katie Gammon Parent kbparent@gmail.com Curt and Launa and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My love and prayers are with you. May God bless you during this difficult time. RoseMarie Peterson Sandy, Curt, and Launa: I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts, prayers, and love are with you and your family at this time. May the wonderful memories you have be a comfort to you and the love and spirit of our Heavenly Father, our Savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost be with you. Love, RoseMarie Peterson Erin Henrie iawyou@comcast.net Dear Jenkins Family... My heart aches for you. I am so very sorry you must face this life without your adorable son. You do not know me, but our son James, age 17, passed away on June 12, 2006, in a hiking accident. He is the second of our four sons. We had just returned from China, with our newly adopted daughter. Our oldest son was serving a mission at the time. I heard of your story, because one of my son's very best friends, Elder Heiner, is serving a mission in Ukraine with one of Josh's very best friends. Only a few days before your son passed away, my son's friend told his companion (Josh's friend) about how difficult my son's death was for him. He was on vacation when my son died, and he told Josh's friend how hard it was to be away from home and hear such awful news, and how painful the experience has been for him... how much he has missed his friend. He told him that he had been hiking with my James many times. Then Josh passed away, and Josh's friend had my son's friend to be with him, to understand him. I know with all of my heart that this is not a coincidence. I am certain that a loving Heavenly Father put these two wonderful boys together as companions, so that they might console one another. I thought you should know this story. I know how raw and awful the pain is. It can be so overwhelming at times. Your son was so handsome. So full of life and light. May his undying love be with you now and always. May you find hope and joy again in time. My love and prayers are with you. I can hardly think of anything else right now... With love, Erin (& John) Henrie Debi Davis debi.davis@anheuser-busch.com Curt and family. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful son. Please receive comfort in your heart to know that he is with our heavenly father now and will be watching over your family. My deepest sympathy goes out to you for the terrible loss. Debi Davis Gordon & Julie Phillips jphillips@co.bonneville.id.us Our sincerest sympathy goes out to you during this very difficult time. Josh was such a great example and friend to our son, Adam. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, especially his friends. He was always welcome in our home, and we loved the opportunity to get to know him. We will feel the deep loss in our lives, as well as you will, but have comfort knowing he is with our Father in Heaven continuing where he left off in the mission field. May God bless you and all those who so lovingly tired to assist Josh during this tragic accident. Mark, Holly, & Brad Curtis Bandyrich@aol.com Words can't express our deepest sympathy we have for your family. Our hearts go out to you. May God bless you with strength and love; that you may be comforted at this time. What a blessing to have such a fine son of God in your family! With our greatest love and compassion to you; God be with you. Doug Peck Curt and Launa Words can't express the sorrow that I feel for you and your family at this time. I didn't know Josh real well but I knew him enough to know he was a fine young man and I know he will be missed by many. I wish there was something that I could do or say that would bring you releif at this time but I know that are not words that can do that. Suffice it to say that you and your family are in my prayers and I hope that you will feel the comfort and peace that the Lord can and will provide for you at this tragic time in your lives. Sincerely, Doug Peck Khyleigh Brown Curt and Launa, Our family is so sorry for the loss of Josh. Josh was a wonderfull man and he will be missed by all. With love, Tonia, Khyleigh, Louis & Lillian Brown Kauilani Stanfield lkauilanis@msn.com We offer our condolences and pray that your family will have the comfort of the Holy Ghost during this time. We are the family who has an exchange student from Thailand, who Josh helped to teach in her language. It has been such an honor and privilege to have him in our home so that June, our exchange student, could understand the gospel in her own native tongue. It was because of his help that she was able to come to fully understand the gospel and enjoy the spirit that accompanied his teachings. She told us that if it wasn't for Josh, she doesn't think she would have felt the spirit as strongly because she would have to focus on understanding the teachings in English first. We will always feel that our time with him was very sacred because he was the only one that could teach such a remarkable young lady the gospel in her own language. She has gone to the temple to do baptisms and last Friday, she did the work for both her grandparents on both sides of her family, along with an Uncle and Aunt. We have all felt that Josh is now helping June's family to learn what else they need to do to continue their progression in becoming an eternal family. Thank you for sharing with us a remarkable, humble and mighty servant of our Father in Heaven. The Stanfield's Christina Rudd twist35@hotmail.com I went to high school with Joshy and became pretty good friends with him during that time. He was such an amazing guy and always made time for everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Love you Joshy Ron, Lisa, Justin, and Taylor Farris Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are all shocked and saddened to hear of your loss. Josh had a ripple effect on everyone he met and our family has been blessed in having known him. With our deepest sympathy, Ron, Lisa, Justin and Taylor Farris Richard Thompson RTVC2@MSN.COM My heart goes out to you, the family, at this time. I was there and helped to find and dig Josh out. I only wish we could have done more. I personally didn’t know him, but will never forget him. I can tell he was loved. My prayers were with him on Saturday and are now with you. My sincere condolences to you at this time. Hal & Laurie Wright hwright@wrightoil.com We are deeply sorry for the loss of your son. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. May the Lord bless you in this time of need. Love, Hal & Laurie Wright Katelyn Mack buggerboo97@gmail.com Kelsey, I am very sorry for your loss. In the time I was able to go to school with you, I really enjoyed being around you and your family. Always remember my family and I are here for you. Love, Katelyn Kevin and Heather Layton Curt and Launa, We just want you to know we are thinking about you and your family. We enjoyed watching Josh grow up when we lived in the ward. He always had a smile on his face and was fun to be around. We will keep you in our prayer. Kevin and Heather Layton Mary Leyshon jay@dcdi.net Sorry to hear of your loss. May God bless your family at this time. Blaine & Jodi Jones blainenjodi@msn.com Curt & Launa, We are so sorry to hear about your son. Our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family. We know that he will be missed greatly. Heavenly Father must have so much missionary work for him to do...you should be so proud of him and all his Earthly accomplishments. We want you to know that we think so much of you and your family, we have never met better people and such great examples! Sincerely, Blaine & Jodi Jones Lisa Pardonnet I am deeply sorry for the loss of your son. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. May the Lord bless you in this time of need. Don and Glenna LeGrand legrand06@cableone.net Ours hearts broke with the news of Josh. We are just healing from the loss of Damon and understand the tremendous grief that you are feeling. We will be there to help you, love you, and support you. God bless, Love, the LeGrand Family Lyle & Alice Farnes lyleandalice@hotmail.com Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. We have heard about the wonderful son that you have raised. It is so hard to part with a loved one and we are so fortunate to have the gospel in our lives and know that if we live worthly we will be together again. He is probably so happy to be with his two Grandfathers that have passed on and the many other loved ones. We pray that you will feel peace again soon. Dave McLaren Curt and Launa, I am so sorry for your loss. I was going to call but didn't want to bother you and knew that you had a lot of support from family and friends. Please know that you have my deepest sympathy and that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this trying time. Ron&Dixie Johnson johnsonmilofarm@gmail.com Dear Jenkins Family, We are so sorry at the passing of your precious son. Ron is a lst cousin of Dorothy Tyler and we both went to school with Blair and Bonnie. Ron works with Blake Waters at Falls Fertilizer. We want to send our heartfelt prayers to you as you long for your son. We too have a son who went before at the age of 18. May you receive our Heavenly Father's greatest comfort. With Love, Ron&Dixie Steve & Sharon Burns steveburns66@msn.com My sons, Sam & Jacob Burns, played football with Josh at Skyline. Sam is serving in the Rome Italy Mission, his comments on learning about Josh are as follows: "Ummmm . . . so the news about Josh really hits home. Just being away (along way) from home and normal life diciamo, gives a guy a lot of time to think and prepare for whatever lies ahead (especially in the Lord's service). A lot that's been on my mind is having all those fun adventures like skydiving and kayaking before I get to old, or have truly no time. Hearing about Josh kinda makes me want to slam down on the brakes … It's pretty sobering. Makes me think twice about just being in dangerous situations … and the plan of salvation is a huge comfort too. Having just honorably served a full time mission, knowing Josh, I know he worked his tail off. We are told by the leaders of the church to save the language we learn. We don't know what use the Lord will have of us in the future. I think Josh was needed in the spirit world. There are people there who needed to be prepared by him to receive the ordinances only available in this life. The best thing we know, without a shadow of a doubt, is that life doesn't end here in mortality. It is only a wink in the eternal scheme of things. And although we can't realize that fully in these moments, it is that testimony of the eternal truth and hope therein, that we move on with more faith, hope, and charity for those around us and what awaits us after mortality . . . eternal life in the mansion of our Father. Sono rimasto shocked un bel'po." Deanna Andersen Ockerman Launa, I am so sorry for your loss. May our Heavenly Father bless and help you through this. Jonathan Heaton thaiheaton@hotmail.com Dear Jenkins Family, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I had the great experience of getting to know Josh (Elder Jenkins as I knew him) as his MTC teacher, and I met up with him again in one of his areas when I took a trip to Thailand. I know you already know this, but Elder Jenkins was an amazing missionary who was completely dedicated to the Lord's work in Thailand. I was thankful to be able to know him and to feel of his spirit, and I know many of the Thai people and missionaries he served with feel the same way. May the Lord comfort you at this time with the knowledge that Josh lived a wonderful life and that, one day, you will be able to be reunited with him again. Dave Lund drlundaz@yahoo.com Curt and Launa, I was so sorry to hear about your son Josh. You are in my families prayers and pray the Lord is with you and your family though this tough time. Devin Duval devinduval@gmail.com My deepest condolences for your family. I was one of Josh's teachers at the MTC. He worked very hard and was dedicated to the Lord. He had a lot of inner strength and faith in his Heavenly Father. My heart and prayers are for your family through this time. Stephen & Camille Mack scmack4@gmail.com Curt, Launa, Kayla & Kelsey, Our hearts are truly breaking over your tragic loss of Josh. Please know our thoughts, prayers and love are with you as you face the difficult days and weeks ahead. All our love, Stephen, Camille, Katelyn & Nathan Mack Patty Miner Jones patty_jones@byu.edu Curt & Family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Though the pain is overwhelming, so too will be the comfort of the Holy Ghost and the knowledge of eternal families. Though I did not know Josh personally, I'm sure he was as fine a man as his father! All our love, Patty (Miner) Jones & family (SHS class of '78) Harmony Higgs White Dear Brother and Sister Jenkins, I can only imagine how difficult this must be. I have been thinking of you and praying for your family to be comforted and have the strength to get through this difficult time. I wanted to thank you and Josh. You have been such wonderful friends to my parents and to Dallon, especially at the times they needed it most. I was so glad they had you to turn to the night Dallon left. Your friendship has been so valuable to them, and Josh's to Dallon, and I am very thankful to you for it. Love, Harmony Higgs White Darmstadt, Germany Kay and Leslie Garner ltg2013@yahoo.com Kay and I were so sorry to hear about Josh. We didn't see him much since we split the wards but my memory of him is watching him pass the sacrament. I always watched him because of the obedience and reverence that he seemed to portray. He had a special spirit about him. We want you to know we are thinking of you and praying for you. Leslie Garner Todd & Jill Monson Moulton (SHS '78) toddmoulton22@hotmail.com Please know pleadings of comfort and peace are in our prayers for you and all who are suffering at this time. It is clear Josh is a very fine young man -- "a great and noble one." May you feel "encircled in the arms of His love" today and in the days to come. Aaron Webber I heard about Josh and am truly sorry. Good thing we have the gospel to put things in perspective and we know we will be able to be with him again. My prayers go out to you. Aaron Webber Advanced Irrigation Words can't express how sorry we are for your loss. Are prayers are with you in this time of need. Your friends at Advanced Irrigation michael &nathan lott michaellott@live.com We are very sorry to hear of your loss, Nathan and I lost one of our brothers in a snowmobile accident a few years back and know these are extremely trying times. Please know our prayers are with you. Tara (Anderson)Christenson chrisgirls@hotmail.com Curt & family, So sorry to hear of your loss. There is great work in store for your son. My prayers are with you. Love, Tara (Anderson) Christenson SHS class of 78' Teresa Anderson Grubaugh kipsnack@msn.com Dear Curtis and family, I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your son Josh. It sounds like he was a wonderful young man that you can be so proud of. Our hearts go out to you and our prayers are with you. May the gospel help you in your difficult days ahead. Love, Kip, Teresa and Family Megan Parkinson meganlyn4@gmail.com Hello Jenkins family! I am so sorry to hear about your loss. He sounds like he was a great kid. I lost my sister 5 years ago on the first of February due to a car accident that me, her and my little brother were involved in. She was at the age of 16. That was the beginning of my conversion story I know that this church is true and I know that he is just on a longer mission than he just returned from. He must have been an amazing missionary for our Lord to take him to do missionary on the other side. I am so excited for the second coming to be able to live with our loved ones and especially our Savior. I know how hard it is and I can really say I have been there. I wouldn't wish it upon anyone but I do know that the trial of my sister passing away made the person I am today. I give you my best wishes and hope that your family gets through this hard time. You're in my prayers :) Love Megan Brady and Tiffani Jensen bcj0323@msn.com We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Josh. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Howard Argyle howard@argylefamily.com Curt and Launa, I am so sorry to hear about Josh. My prayers are with you. Lisa Strangfeld Just wanted you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, The Strangfeld family Bliss and Aldean Wheeler aldean@ida.net Our hearts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Heidi Pitchforth scmaster2001@hotmail.com Dear Jenkins Family, My prayers are with you and your loved ones at this time. My son, Jeremy (Elder Pitchforth) loved Josh. Jeremy spoke most highly of him. As you draw from His well of everlasting love and faith, may your heart take comfort and find the peace He has promised. Most Sincerely, Heidi Pitchforth Jesus, Teresa & Ruth Medina speedy_giggles_aiden06@hotmail.com Dear Brother and Sister Jenkins, We are very sorry about your loss. We are very sorry not to have sent condolences before - Brother Gammon just told us the sad news last week. We know what a good kid Josh was, always happy and busy working at the farm. We always remember his face with a smile on all the time for our family. We wish to go visit you, but my mom is a little bit ill, As soon as she gets better and with your permission, we will come visit you. There's no way to describe how saddened we are for your loss. Our hearts are united with your pain. My grandmother from Mexico as well is very saddened. She, like you, has lost a son and was also very sad that this happend to Josh. She knew him as well and remembers him as a beautiful child with always a simle on his face. We are very thankful for your family and our hearts and prayers are with you all.