James Leonard Judkins

J. Leonard Judkins, 82, passed away peacefully May 8, 2017. He was born April 4, 1935, in Rigby, Idaho. He was the fifth and youngest son of Leonard Newell and Susan Cleone Beus Judkins. His family moved to Ephraim, Utah, where he met and married Florence Katie Olsen on Sept. 10, 1954, in the Manti LDS Temple. She was the love of his life! They were the parents of eight children, and helped raise other children in need. He graduated from BYU with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He worked for Idaho Nuclear Energy, Hercules, and for Amoco Oil. He was loved dearly by his children and grandchildren, especially when he would tell them stories. He leaves behind a posterity of 37 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren - a number that continues to grow. He enjoyed traveling with his family. He was an excellent builder and helped build the home where they lived for 50 years in West Valley City. He was always willing to help those in need and was often found caring for the widows in his neighborhood. He loved the Lord and served in many capacities, including Bishop. He also served an LDS Mission in Oklahoma with his beloved wife. He suffered from Alzheimer's disease for the last decade of his life. Yet through this, as in all trials in his life, he endured without complaint, with love, kindness, and integrity. He leaves a legacy of faithfulness for all to follow. He was preceded in death by his father and mother; two brothers; and four sisters-in-law. He is survived by his twin brothers, Carlton of Louisiana, and Carlos of Clinton; wife, Florence of South Jordan; children, Gary (Vicki) of Delta, Linda (Bryan) Niebergall of Murray, Diane (Roger) Berrett of Lindon, Jeanette (Burton) Clark of Riverton, Karl (Colenda) of Kaysville, Andrew (Cari) of Centerville, Susan (Barry) Taggart of Tooele, and Katie (Doug) Redmond of Tooele. A special thanks to his care givers at Sagewood at Daybreak and Envision Hospice for their loving and tender care. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 13, Hunter LDS 2nd Ward, 3970 South 5200 West, in West Valley City. Viewings will be from 6-8:00 p.m. Friday, May 12th, McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, in Taylorsville and from 9-10:15 a.m. Saturday prior to service at the church. Interment, Ephraim Park Cemetery, Ephraim, Utah. Place of Birth:Rigby, IdahoPlace of Death:South Jordan, Utah