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Lars Elwin Jenkins"Dr. J"On July 26, 2012, Lars Elwin Jenkins passed from this life at his home in Lehi surrounded by his family. Lars was born November 9, 1921, in Arcadia, Utah, to Junius Paxman and Sylvia Murdock Jenkins. He grew up in Heber City, where he graduated from Wasatch High School. He served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Independence during World War II. Following the war, on September 22, 1948, he married Zina Thacker in the Salt Lake Temple. Lars graduated from the University of Utah and began a teaching career. He taught first at Park City High School, and then in Cheyenne, Wyoming, before moving to Lehi in 1952 to teach at Lehi High School. He taught and was a counselor at Lehi High for many years, where he influenced hundreds of lives through his outstanding teaching and compassionate personality. He obtained a master's degree and, in 1964, a doctoral degree from the University of Utah. After teaching at Lehi High, he worked in administration at Alpine School District, was principal at Hillcrest Elementary in Orem and, in 1981, was asked to start Central High School. A consummate story-teller, he loved teaching and working with the youth, and many former students, who called him "Dr. J," stayed in contact with him. After retirement, Lars served four years as Lehi City Judge. Lars was a life-long, active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He fulfilled many responsibilities in the Church, including missions to the Philippines and Fiji with Zina. He was a temple ordinance worker in the Provo and Mount Timpanogos temples for many years and wanted nothing more than for his family to be a forever family. Lars is survived by his wife, Zina, his six children June (Larry) Presser, Annette (Rex) Hadlock, Kathy (Gary) Shaw, Keith (Chris) Jenkins, Larry (Leslie) Jenkins, and Craig (Corinne) Jenkins, 32 grandchildren and 53 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Joe (Belva) Jenkins and Terry (Irene) Jenkins, and a sister, Marva Lou (Charles) Niederhauser. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, and siblings Deon, Floyd, and Don. Lars's family will receive friends and family from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at Wing Mortuary, 118 East Main, Lehi. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 1, 2012, at the Lehi Fifth Ward, 481 East 300 North, Lehi, Utah, where friends and family will be received prior to the services from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at the Lehi City Cemetery. Online guestbook at wingmortuary.com The family extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to A+ Healthcare and Hospice for the kind care and service rendered during Lars's last weeks.

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