Eugene Jenkins-RIP

YAKIMA - Eugene Alan Jenkins passed away December 16, 2010 at Yakima Regional Hospital.

Gene was born March 11, 1952 in Waterville, WA to Nathan (Ev) and Cecelia (Kathy) Jenkins. The family moved to Yakima in 1965 where he graduated from Davis High School and continued his education at ITT in Seattle. After graduation from ITT he served in the Navy until 1975 where he received an honorable discharge. Gene lived and was a General Contractor in San Francisco for 4 years. He returned to Selah in 1994 where he got back into the farming and the cattle business.

His different passions were genealogy where Gene traced his family back to the 1600's and even made a trip to Russia with the Germans from Russia to validate his findings. Gene composed a book with all the family ancestry.

Gene was a volunteer for the Wenas Cemetery Association where he was part of the grounds committee.

In 2001-2002 Gene was the President of the WA State Boundary Review Board where got interested in annexation, land uses, critical areas, and water rights.

Gene was a board member of the Yakima Cattleman Association and in 2007 he received an Honorary Cattleman of the Year Award.

Gene is the current President of Yakima County Farm Bureau. In November he received the Presidential Citation for leadership in the Struggles Against Over Burdensome Regulations on Farmers & Ranchers during the Washington State Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. Gene's input and insight helped a lot of people in the Yakima Valley. He represented the interests of farmers and ranchers over many years. Gene was integral in developing the Water Resource Management Plan for the Yakima Basin and served as the Yakima County Farm Bureau President, representing the organization through the County's Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline Master Program Update. Gene's attention to detail and understanding of the nuances of laws were particularly helpful to landowners throughout the Yakima Valley. Gene's passion for "doing the right thing" inspired many to follow his leadership into questioning why things were being don the they were. He questioned the status-quo and worked to make government operate for the people. Unafraid of the consequences, Gene would argue point, counter-point with local, state and federal regulators to protect landowners from overzealous regulation. Gene was a confidant and a friend to many in the community.

Gene will be deeply missed more than anyone could know; those will be mighty big shoes to fill!

He was preceded in death by his mother Cecelia (Kathy) and his sister Peggy Cox.

He is survived by his father Nathan (Ev) of Selah, brother Edward (Glen) of Florida, sisters Lindy Sheehan of Seattle, Suzy Moran of Lynnwood. Plus his housemates Pirate, Patches, and new dog Fred.

The family wants to thank all the doctors and nursing staff at Yakima Regional Hospital for all their care and help.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at Wenas Cemetery. A reception will immediately follow at St. John's Catholic Church, 206 Moxee Ave., Naches, WA. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Wenas Cemetery or the Central Washington Agriculture Museum. Keith & Keith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Our Class Project-So Far!

Leanne Schrantz Wagoner donated her lithograph to the Class Project and arranged to have the lithograph of old Davis High School Framed and added a plaque, as you can see. This will be given to the High School over the holidays.

Much appreciation to Leanne for her hard work, as always. Our class funds paid for the plaque and framing. If you have additional ideas for a class project please do let us know.

Merry Christmas and a Fabulous New Year!

Merry Christmas to our classmates from everyone on the Reunion Committee! Hope your year has been fabulous. We look forward to seeing you someday soon!

Debbie, Leanne, Margaret, Edwin, Diana, Jennifer, Phyllis, Barry, Al, Carlene, Kathy and Carolyn!

And Happy New Year!

Our Teacher, Al Moss.....died December 13, 2010

Here is a picture of Al Moss in our Senior Yearbook. Very nice teacher. RIP

Alfred C. "Al" Moss (1937 -2010)

Al Moss went to be with his Lord, December 13, 2010.

Al was a man with deep abiding faith whose proudest accomplishment was his family. His unwavering commitment to his wife, children, grandchildren, and extended family was without bounds. Al exemplified "service above self." He gave of himself to better his church, students, and the community. His legacy of compassion and selflessness will live on in the lives of so many he touched.

Al was born Dec. 8, 1937 to Harold and Marjorie Moss in Yakima, Washington. He attended school in Selah, WA, graduating in 1956, lettering in tennis and basketball.

He graduated from Whitworth College in 1960 with a BA in education. As a member of the tennis team, Al lettered 4 years, winning the Evergreen Conference doubles title, runner-up in singles, and advancing to the NAIA championships.

He worked at Associated Grocers as a semi-truck driver all four summers to put himself through college.

On June 14, 1959, Al married Nancy House at the First Presbyterian Church in Ellensburg, beginning 51 years of marriage.

In 1960, Al was hired as a history teacher at Davis High School starting his 41-year career in education, with 34 in administration. At Davis, he was Assistant Basketball Coach, Head Tennis Coach, and basketball official before he became the Athletic Director and Vice-Principal. Al and three close friends started the Davis Invitational Tennis Tournament and the Washington State Tennis Tournament.

Al served as the Manager and Tennis Instructor at the Yakima Tennis Club 1960-62. He taught tennis for the Yakima Parks and Recreation Department 1964-1968.

He completed his Master of Education in History in 1966 from CWU and completed administrative credentials in 1968. He attended WSU, Harvey Mudd College, Colorado College, the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England, and Lewis and Clark College.

After a year at Wilson Junior High School as the Vice-Principal, Al became Principal of Ellensburg High School in 1972 for 14 years.

Al was President of the Washington Association of Secondary School Principals in 1979, and President of the Association of Washington School Principals in 1985-86.

In 1986, Al became the Assistant Superintendent for Ellensburg School District, retiring in August 1994. During his 22 years in Ellensburg, he taught classes at CWU and Heritage University.

Al became Curriculum Director for the Richland School District in 1994. A year later, he became the Assistant Superintendent for Hermiston, OR School District where he served for 5 ½ years before retiring a second time in June 2001.

Always an active person, Al enjoyed golf, particularly in his retirement years, but his greatest love was fly-fishing. His favorite places to fish were Rocky Ford Creek and Lenice Lake, introducing dozens of friends to the huge Rainbows of these waters.

Al loved his Lord and served as a Sunday school teacher, Young Life leader and an Elder of both the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Yakima and the Ellensburg First Presbyterian Church. He was active in Bible Studies and Men's Breakfasts.

Al served as President of Kittitas Valley Community Hospital Board, was a member of the Ellensburg Rotary Club (Past-President, recipient of the Rotary Integrity Award and District Service Award), First Presbyterian Church of Ellensburg, Hermiston Rotary Club, Association of Washington School Principals, Phi Delta Kappa, Yakima Young Life Board, the Ellensburg United Way Board, served on the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Board, and was President of both the Columbia Basin Big Nine League and the Mid-Valley League. He also belonged to the Washington Association of School Administrators, Washington Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Confederacy of Oregon School Administrators, and Washington Retired Teachers Association.

His family includes Nancy, the love of his life; children; Robert of Spokane, Gary (Maria) of Maple Valley, WA, Kristin (Mark Kison) of Post Falls, ID, and Nancy (Butch Beyerlin) of Goldendale, WA; sisters, Karen (Myron Anderson) of Gig Harbor, Andrea (Jerry Davies) of Seabeck, Marjiann (Marty Loken) of Nordland, WA, one brother, Cleve (Ranee') of Roseburg, OR; Darrall and Irene Robbins of Scottsdale, AZ, and loving nephews and nieces. His spirit lives in his four grandchildren, Ethan, Grisha, Miles, and Vanessa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Marjorie Moss.

A Celebration of his Life shall be held at the Ellensburg First Presbyterian Church on December 29th at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Ellensburg First Presbyterian Church Foundation, Kittitas Valley Community Hospital Foundation, or F.I.S.H.

Published in Daily Record from December 16 to December 23, 2010