Edward Jay Jenkins

Edward Jay Jenkins, 78, of Othello, passed away in his home, surrounded by his family on May 29, 2004.

Jay was born to Charles and Pearl Jenkins in Ballard, Unitah County, Utah on April 16, 1926, the seventh of nine children to grow up on the family farm. At the age of nine, his father died and left his mother to raise the remaining five children. He attended high school in Alterra and Roosevelt, Utah, where he was the top dog on the basketball and football teams.

At the age of 17, Jay enlisted in the Marine Corps. In the meantime, he met Betty and fell in love. It was then he realized that life happens to you even though you have other plans.

After turning 18, Uncle Sam sent him an invitation to report for duty. With a few days remaining, Jay (18) and Betty (16) were married on May 27, 1944. Later, on March 15, 1967, they were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple. Jay went into the Marines and Betty finished high school.

Jay served in the 4th Marine Division and was sent in as a replacement on Iwo Jima. He was wounded in 1945 in the bloodiest battle in Marine history. After spending 18 months in a hospital in Oakland, Calif., Jay returned home to Betty in Roosevelt, Utah, where he continued life as a farmer.

Jay and Betty had three children born to them while living in Roosevelt: Jaelee, Duane, and Charlene. In 1951, the Columbia Basin project was opened to veterans. He participated in the drawing and received the first choice of 186 farms in Othello, Wash. Their home was the first built on Block 49. There were no roads, no canals, no trees and no water. They were true pioneers. While settling in Othello two more children joined their family: John and Janice.

Jay enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and woodworking with his friends and family. He was an active member in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He is survived by: his wife, Betty of the family home; his son, John of Othello; his daughters and sons-in-law, Jaelee and Michael Harvey and Janice and Richard Mollotte, both of Othello; a son-in-law, Gene Hoffer of Othello; 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; his brother, Cecil Jenkins of Roosevelt, Utah; sisters, Ilene McConkie of Altamont, Utah and Stella Bodily of Salt Lake City, Utah.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a son, Duane, a daughter, Charlene Hoffer, three brothers and two sisters.

A time for final visitation will be held at Stevens Funeral Chapel on Wednesday June 2, 2004 beginning at 2 p.m. and concluding at 8 p.m. A celebration of his life will be held at the 1st ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Thursday June 3, 2004 at 1 p.m. with committal at the Bess Hampton Memorial Gardens following the service.