Nyron Dale Jenkins

Funeral Recording - https://audio.funeralrecording.com/embed/8f40f604-f07c-11ee-8859-12babd5eac8d

Nyron Dale Jenkins passed away at McKay-Dee Hospital on March 25, 2024, at the age of 84. Just a few days earlier, he had been surrounded by his wife Sharon and their five children, laughing, and recalling family stories.

Nyron was born June 11, 1939, in Salt Lake City to Nyron Derwood Jenkins and Esther Mary Poulter Jenkins. He was the fourth of four children, with his brother Paul dying in infancy. The family made their home in the Poplar Grove area of Salt Lake City. All three children helped run the family-owned restaurant, where Nyron would often go during his school lunch break to have a bowl of chili.

At West High School, Nyron was an All-State baseball player under Coach Glen Tuckett, who later became the athletic director at Brigham Young University.  Later he went on to play semi-pro baseball. 

Nyron met Sharon Paul shortly after high school, and they planned their wedding around the deer-hunting season on Oct. 14, 1960.  (They were sealed to each other and their children in the Salt Lake City Temple on July 7, 1965.) An avid sportsman, Nyron loved nothing more than spending a day out fishing or hunting. Many of his grandchildren remember how he would haul a heavy video camera up the steep cliffs of Capitol Reef to film them in one of his favorite national parks. 

Nyron and Sharon had four children within five years, with the fifth child coming a few years later. During those early years, Nyron and Sharon became active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Through the rest of their lives, they remained committed and faithful members. Nyron served in two LDS bishoprics and as an Elder’s Quorum president, but what he truly loved was serving with the young men. He inspired many young men to serve a mission, several of whom thanked Nyron in their farewell talks and then again in their homecoming talks. For over 10 years, Nyron and Sharon served at the Utah State Prison, helping three men find peace through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Nyron was also a great baseball coach to his children and their friends. He, along with Sharon, were their children and grandchildren’s greatest cheerleaders, supporting them in all their school activities, sporting events, cheerleading, plays, choir and dance concerts and even bull-riding competitions.

His children will always remember his desire to be honest and ethical, his exemplary commitment to keeping his word, his devotion to his own mother and father, his partiality to easy listening music and his love for babies.

Nyron was a journeyman plumber, working for several companies, including Mcdonald Plumbing. In 1981, he led the plumbing division for Rocky Mountain Mechanical, later holding other positions, including estimator, OSHA specialist and warehouse manager. He retired from Rocky Mountain Mechanical at the age of 78.

Nyron is survived by his wife Sharon Paul Jenkins; his five children: Paul Jenkins (Carri), David Jenkins (Ruth), Lisa Jenson (Bent), Jill Elmont (Steve) and Jenifer Kroll (Jeremy); as well as his 21 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Paul Jenkins and LeRoy Jenkins (Classina) and his sister Doreen Jenkins Olsen (Le Roy). 

As a family we want to thank all the wonderful healthcare doctors and nurses who assisted and cared for Nyron throughout his illnesses. We also want to especially express appreciation to his kind neighbors and Union Park Fifth Ward members.

Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel on 7699 South Chad Street in Midvale, UT, at 11:30 am on Saturday, March 30, 2024. A viewing will precede the funeral service from 10 to 11:15. There will also be a viewing held on Friday, March 29, 2024, at the Cannon Mortuary, 2460 Bengal Blvd., Cottonwood Heights, UT, from 6 to 8 p.m. Interment will be at the Huntsville City Cemetery.