EVANSTON — Jerald Clive Atkinson (JUG), 79, passed away peacefully on Feb. 22, 2021.
Jerald was born on Nov. 17, 1941, to Amos Clive and Alma Rosella Atkinson in the beautiful valley of Heber Utah.
Jerald was the youngest of five and the only son. His siblings include Shirley Hopfenbeck, Dora Barnes, Ivy Hallam and Ruth Atkinson; therefore, he may have been a little spoiled and very well loved. Because of this he knew how to dress sharp and had the attention of many young women as he grew up attending South Summit School in Kamas Utah later graduating in 1960. Directly after graduation, Jug joined the Marines and for five years served his country traveling to places like Hawaii, Philippines and Morocco. Making several friends and mischief along the way.
In 1965, after returning home from the Marines, Jug began courting Myrtle Mitchell of Kamas, Utah. Myrtle was one of the many ladies who had an eye for Jerald way back in grade school. She always knew in her heart that Jug was the man she would marry. Myrtle had a son named Gary, and Jug fell uncontrollably in love with him. He became the best daddy to Gary, and later decided it was OK to love Gary’s mom too.
After a brief time of dating they were married on Oct. 8, 1966, in Elko, Nevada. In 1967, they welcomed another love of his life, a beautiful daughter named Melinda. With both kids in tow, Myrtle packed up and followed him to Las Vegas where Jug worked at the Nevada Test Site digging tunnels for underground bomb detonation. After nearly nine years in Vegas, they relocated to Lyman, Wyoming, where Jug began his job at FMC Corp. There he worked for 25+ years as an underground miner.
Many years in Lyman created several friendships for Jerald. He became a well-known local and spent many hours enjoying a beverage after work at the local bars where he sometimes created hate and discontent and other times casual conversations. After years of barstools and booze he traded up, and in 2004 when a very influential man in his life, his brother-in-law, Ted Hallam, passed away he decided to never smoke another cigarette or drink again. This choice led to many more blessings in his life when he chose to get sealed to Myrtle at the Ogden LDS Temple in March 2006.
His journey through this life was never dull. He enjoyed his motorcycles and being out on the open road. Even running his own foot over one time while teaching two grandsons “motorcycle safety.” He leaves behind his loving wife, Myrtle Atkinson; his two children Gary (Heidi) Atkinson and Melinda Lu Fenus; five loving grandchildren: Steven (Nichole) Walker, Tiffani (Kyle Below) Atkinson, Randi (Darrin) Russell, Travis (Shalee) Atkinson and Raymond Jay Atkinson;12 great-grandchildren and bonus great-grandchildren; many cousins, nieces and nephews and plenty of good friends whom he loved like family.
Graveside services will be held on March 12, 2021, at 1 p.m. at the Francis Cemetery in Francis, Utah. A luncheon will follow at the LDS Church in Kamas. 387 W Frontier Lane, Kamas, Utah 84036.
Condolences may be made at www.crandallfhevanston.com.
