Vernon " Duane" Jenkins passed away December 28, 2019, Saturday morning at age 90 in St. Lukes Hospital in Meridian, Idaho from complications of pneumonia.
Duane always went by Duane because his Dad went by Vernon. He liked it that way. He signed his name V. Duane Jenkins.
Duane was born in Magna, Utah on Tuesday, April 30, 1929 to Charles Vernon and Clara Ada Ferguson Jenkins.
His father operated a photographic shop in Magna, Utah until the family moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho in 1932. Duane attended schools in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He worked for a local Pharmacy as a teenager. On July 2, 1946, Duane was hit by a car while riding a bicycle at age 17. He was unconscious for two weeks, almost losing his life. He graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1947 at age 18.
Duane went on to attend Idaho State College Pharmacy program in Pocatello, Idaho in 1948. His best friend, Russ Storrs introduced Duane and Pauline at the sub college cafe in 1948. He married Pauline Lily Brown on August 10, 1949 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They resided on the college campus where Duane was majoring in Pharmacy. On March 4, 1951 they welcomed the birth of their son, Barry Alvin Jenkins in Pocatello, Idaho. In May 1951, Duane graduated from the College of Pharmacy, I.S.U. in Pocatello, Idaho with a B.S. in Pharmacy. He graduated in the upper 10% of the class.
After graduation in 1951, Duane and family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where Duane worked in Walgreens Pharmacy. The family moved to Twin Falls, Idaho around 1952 where Duane was the manager of Walgreens Pharmacy. On July 19,1953, Duane’s father, Charles “Vernon” Jenkins passed away at the age of 49. This was a tough time for Duane and the family. Duane continued to help his mother any time he could as she had young children still at home. Duane went to work for Sav Mor Drug in Twin Falls, Idaho in 1954 to 1958. On September 12, 1954, they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Pamela Ann Jenkins in Twin Falls, Idaho. In 1958 the family moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho where Duane worked for a local pharmacy and later in 1958 went to work for Pfizer Labs as a Pharmaceutical Rep. In 1959 the family moved to Boise, Idaho where Duane continued to work for Pfizer Labs from 1958 to 1970.
Duane was a Boy Scout Leader for a few years in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. During this same time Duane spent time boating, water skiing, and golfing. He spent time in Mccall, Idaho with his family which continued through his lifetime. He went on camping trips fishing and hunting. He obtained his private pilots license. He co-owned a Cessna 210 airplane for several years. He began snowmobiling and continued for many years. In 1970 Duane opened his own Pharmacy in Boise, Idaho, Medical Centre Pharmacy on Overland Rd. Later the name was changed to Overland Pharmacy on Overland Rd. The pharmacy was in business from 1970 to 1994.
He worked in Salt Lake City for Smiths Drug Co. To help train Pharmacists learn to consult with customers from 1995 to 1997. He worked for the Idaho Dept of Health and Welfare in Boise, Idaho retiring in 1999. He loved genealogy and went out to the Idaho State Prison for a few years to help inmates with genealogy searches. He continued working on genealogy for several years. He loved spending time with his family, especially with his grandchildren. He loved spending time in Mccall, Idaho at the cabin. Duane and Pauline hosted many Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at their home along with birthdays. It was a Thanksgiving tradition to go bowling with his grandchildren on Thanksgiving day. It was a tradition to go to Chuck E. Cheese on Duane’s birthday with the grandchildren and family. Duane was generous to a fault, sharing what he had with others. Duane and Pauline spent time at their home gardening and taking care of the lawn. Duane took care of Pauline as she was developing dementia in 2009. On September 14, 2014, Duane suffered a fall which developed into a brain bleed. Duane was in the hospital when Pauline became ill passing away Oct 2, 2014. Duane continued to recover from that fall coming home Oct 23, 2014. Pam became his caregiver for five years. He missed Pauline, but enjoyed time spent with his family. He enjoyed reading the newspaper, watching television, especially old westerns. He enjoyed going out to eat , especially at Eddies. Duane was able to travel some. Duane was doing good until August 14, 2018 when he suffered a fall that changed his life where his health continued to decline. Duane was so strong through this ordeal. He is at peace now with his Lord Jesus, his wife, son, many family and friends. Duane was loved very much and will be missed very much. Until we meet again. Duane was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, sisters and their husbands Carla Woodland(Bert) and Mary Lou Johnson(Tebbin), his wife Pauline Jenkins of 65 years Oct 2, 2014, his son Barry Jenkins May 25, 2017.
Duane is survived by his daughter, Pam(Ken) Acuff of Boise. Sister Verlene Schmier(Jerry) West Yellowstone, Montana, brother Morris Jenkins(Erma) Idaho Falls, Idaho, sister Luana Rampton(Jay) S. Jordan, Utah, brother David Jenkins(Jackie) S. Jordan,Utah. Barrys’s first wife, Adell DeVinaspre, Boise, seven grandchildren, Kris Jenkins,Port Orchard,Washington, Mychal Jenkins, Boise, Brady Jenkins(Rebekah) Boise, Trevor Jenkins(Jake) Boise, Kylee Jenkins, Boise, Kerry Acuff, Boise, Nathan Acuff, Boise. Four great grandchildren, Kassen Jenkins, Addison Jenkins, Lillian Braese Acuff, Wyatt Bolkcom. Barry’s widow, Deb Jenkins, Syracuse, Utah. Several adopted grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The family would like to express their gratitude to St. Als Hospital, The Orchards of Cascadia in Nampa, Idaho, St. Lukes Hospital Boise and Meridian, Dr. David Nielsen and his staff, St Lukes Home Health and the many Doctors and teams involved in Duane’s care for the last five years.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan 11, 2020 at the Cloverdale Funeral Home chapel. 1200 N. Cloverdale Rd. Boise, Idaho. Viewing at 9 AM. Service at 10 AM. Graveside at 11 AM.