The Oldest Man in Our Ward Passes Away

 We attended the funeral of a truly great man recently.  He was the oldest person in our ward.

Claude J. Jenkins, age 97, died January 5, 2023, at his home in St. George, UT. He was born September 16, 1925, in Newton, UT to Moroni and Mary Jenkins. Claude was the youngest of four children, with two sisters and one brother. After graduating from North Cache High School, he entered the Air Force in January 1944. He was a member of the 385th Bombardment Group. He was stationed in England and flew 29 bombing attacks over the toughest theater of aerial warfare in Europe to bomb several Nazi targets. He graduated with a Master’s Degree in Agronomy from Utah State University in June 1950. Claude married Helen Griffin on June 1, 1950, in the Logan Temple. They were married for 72 years before his passing. They are the parents of six children. He worked for Utah State University and Northern Arizona University as director of purchasing. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in many leadership positions including bishop and as a member of the stake presidency. In 1995 Claude and Helen served on a mission to the Los Angeles Temple Visitor Center. They also spent many years serving in the St. George Temple. Every Thursday night Claude could be found at the recommend desk greeting all the temple patrons with a smile. Many of his family vacations were spent at Lake Powell driving his boat and pulling kids around on tubes and water skis. He was also an active water skier and an expert ski instructor, teaching all of his kids and many of their friends to ski. After retiring, Claude and Helen moved from Flagstaff, AZ to St. George, UT. There they had the opportunity to go on several cruises all over the world and many tours throughout the country. Claude is survived by his wife, Helen; his children: Paula (Boyd) Mildenstein, David (Terrie) Jenkins, Denise Wallmann, Robyn (Jose) Cruz, Brad (Kathy) Jenkins, Jill (Steve) Perry; 19 grandkids; and 22 great-grandkids. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Peter Wallman and grandson, Matthew Wallmann. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 10:00 am in the Fort Pierce Chapel, 750 Fort Pierce Drive, St George, UT. A visitation will be held on Saturday, prior to services, from 9:00 am to 9:30 am at the church. Interment will be in Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 South Dixie Drive, St. George, UT.

As the obituary states, he served in WWII.  He has to be one of the last of The Greatest Generation.  A story was told at his funeral that I would like to share:

Claude was a gunner in a bomber they called Patch because it had so many patched holes from being shot.  He flew many bombing missions to Germany out of England during the war. On one, the enemy shot out one of the engines on Patch and they realized they could not make it back to England.  The plane was too badly damaged.  They had to land in France.  They found an airstrip but didn't know if it was controlled by the US or Germany. But they had no choice.  They had to land.  They landed with planes burning on both sides of the runway.  They all nervously looked for what flag was flying at the airport. That would determine whether they would be POWs or free.  Oh the rejoicing and thrill when they saw the American flag flapping in the breeze!  Just that very morning, the US had captured and taken possession of that airstrip.  Just that very day!

It was inspirational to attend this dear man's funeral.  I left wanting to be a better person.  We are grateful to have known Claude Jenkins.