1891-1955
PHOTOS
John Raymond Jenkins (his friends and family called
him Raymond) was born May 15, 1891 at Weston, Idaho, the son of John and
Maria Jensen Jenkins. What education he received was at Newton, Utah, which
was only to the fifth grade. In his early teens he went up into Idaho to
work, mostly around Grace and Alexander, where he worked until shortly
before he was married, at which time he moved to Star Valley, Wyoming to
help run one of his father's ranches. One early experience he had while
working in Alexander for his brother-in-law, Eli Hanson, he never quite
forgot. While working in the fields they were struck with lightning which
killed several horses and stunned him. Eli was hit quite bad, but Raymond
recovered sufficiently enough to work with him and saved his life.
In Freedom he met the woman who was to become
his lifelong wife and companion, Lula Irene Haderlie.
They were married in the Salt Lake Temple, September 15, 1915. This trip
was made by team and covered wagon to Newton, Utah. Lula's brother, L.H.
Haderlie and his fiance, Joan Lindholm, were to be married the same day
so they started out for Utah in two covered wagons. Along the way Raymond
was notified that his younger brother, Seymour, had died so he took the
train from Soda Springs, Idaho in order to get there in time for the funeral.
Lula drove the team and wagon from Soda Springs to Newton, Utah where she
met Raymond and they took the train from there to Salt Lake City.
Raymond never participated too much in public
affairs, but during his early life, before and after he was married, he
played in brass bands around Alexander, and Grace, Idaho; Newton, Utah,
and in Star Valley, Wyoming. He played the cornet and E flat Alto horn.
He served for several years as ward teacher and worked actively in the
Elder's Quorum on the welfare projects. For several years he served in
the Freedom-Etna Farm Bureau organization.
Eight children were born to Raymond and Lula,
two who have preceded him in death. A girl, Wilda Marie, passed away at
the age of six months and a son, Lavor H. was killed at the age of 20 on
Iwo Jima during World War II. Raymond's life was centered around his family,
and though he didn't take part much in church or public affairs he encouraged
his family to attend to their church duties. He sent a son and daughter,
Darrel and Lera, on missions and two sons served in the armed forces. Lavor
served in World War II, and Theron served in Germany.
In 1940 the good health Raymond had always
enjoyed started to leave when he came down with arthritis, which grew worse
with the years until he finally came down with Parkinson's disease, which
finally claimed his life on June 4,1955 at the age of 64 years. During
all of his sickness he continued to have a pleasing disposition and a good
outlook on life, trying to get around on his own and not be a burden on
any one. During this long illness he was waited on with loving care by
his wife, who carried a burden which few people knew of.
Raymond loved to hunt and fish, a sport
which he participated in until his health prevented him from going in the
hills to hunt, but he continued to fish as long as he could hold a pole.
Like a true hunter, though, he liked to recall time and time again the
hunting trips he took.
John Raymond Jenkins on his wedding day
John Raymond Jenkins as young man
Lula Irene Haderlie, his wife
Baby, Wilda Marie Jenkins