Ronald Leo Jenkins

Ronald Leo Jenkins, 85, of Dove Creek, CO. passed away on November 18, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on November 13, 1939, to Howard and Nellie, Ronald was raised in Cahone, CO. He was the youngest of five siblings. He was an avid athlete who excelled at baseball and basketball. As a young man, he worked at the truck stop in Dove Creek. 

Ronald was a master carpenter. He moved to California, joined the carpentry guild, and worked building houses. He moved to Utah and continued in the Carpenter’s Union where he and his brother Bill worked together building a name for themselves, people would ask specifically for the “Jenkins Brothers”. Ronald built and crafted with care, leaving a legacy in the homes he helped create.

A man of many talents, Ronald was well-known for his love of playing horseshoes, a sport in which he earned numerous trophies throughout his life. He won the NHPA World Class Champion in 1996. He loved to sing, a hobby he pursued with enthusiasm. 

Ronald also found joy in restoring and working on old tractors, showcasing his mechanical prowess. Rebuilding tractors grew into something more than a hobby, it became a passion for preserving history and bringing them back to life.

He loved all animals, from his riding horses and his boxer dog, Whizzer, to feeding hummingbirds and offering peanuts to the chipmunks that frequented his backyard.

Above all, he was a devoted father and grandfather, whose love and guidance shaped the lives of his family. You could always find him showing his grandchildren the “proper way” to do something, such as teaching the oldest grandkids to throw a horseshoe, or his youngest grandsons to play catch, even if it meant tossing things in Grandma’s living room. He loved sharing old stories and always had a joke ready to bring a smile to everyone. He will be missed and remembered for his wit, wisdom, and work ethic. 

Ronald is survived by Earlene Jenkins and their three sons, Ronald (Lori), Robert and Hank (Cristy), and daughter, Gwendolyn and by grandchildren; Travis (Lindsey), Clint, Jessica (Kris & Tristan), Jordan (Corbyn), Nikki, Colton, Weston, and Marshall.

With pride we carry on his legacy: don’t buy what you can make better, don’t talk, or do or try so fast you lose the joy in what you enjoy; and never compromise quality for efficiency and miss the pleasure of the process. His memory will be cherished, and his stories kept alive as we honor the life lessons he left behind.