David Avery Jenkins

David Avery Jenkins

David Avery Jenkins, 70 years old, passed away May 8, 2021, while at Mat-Su Regional Hospital, Alaska.

A service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Palmer on May 15, 2021.

Dave was born May 6, 1951, to Donald and Beulah Jenkins in Watertown, New York. He graduated from Sackets Harbor Central School K-12 and then went to Jefferson Community College.

Dave came to Alaska in 1972 and worked at a variety of jobs: Sohio in Prudhoe Bay with the Alaska Laborers Union, API, AVTEC in Seward, North Star Hospital, and even as a taxi driver in Barrow.

In the late ‘80s he was a co-host for Radio Free America on 97.3 FM Anchorage. He had a keen interest in politics and a deep interest and knowledge of history. He was always happiest with a dog by his side and always just a phone call away to family, friends, or even a politician. Dave was a gifted writer, as anyone who has read his Facebook posts knows.

In 2004 he received the gift of life from a donor named Andrea, to whom we are very grateful for the extra 17 years that we got with him.

He is survived by his wife, Jeannette, of Palmer; his sister, Ann Parks of Carthage, New York; his son, Donnie Jenkins, and Tonya Gould of Wasilla; daughters, Destiny and David Shoemaker of Wasilla, Holly and Ryan Mothershead of Palmer, and Gretchen and Chad Paulson of Wasilla; 13 grandchildren, David C. Jenkins, Angela Gilland, Hannah Jenkins, Easton Shoemaker, Adeline Shoemaker, Kaya Paulson, and Isabel Paulson of Wasilla; Olivia Mothershead, McKenzie Mothershead, and Emma Mothershead of Palmer; Willow Jenkins and Orion Jenkins of Willow; and Ashley Croshaw of Utah; and two great grandchildren, Rowyn Gilland and Chloe Charlotte Jenkins of Wasilla.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Beulah Jenkins, and his son, Michael Jenkins. Ashes to be scattered at son’s hunting camp, Hatchers Pass, and down by the creek near his family home outside of Watertown, New York.

Arrangements were entrusted to Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary.

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