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.