The two victims who drowned following a boating accident near Burlington on Saturday are remembered by friends and family for their kindness, generosity and humor.
Authorities on Monday identified Jason Allen Jenkins, 40, and Clinton Calvin Dean Yeager, 22, as the two adults killed in the accident.
A third victim, Jeremy Gene Jenkins, 11, is presumed to have drowned. Jason Jenkins was Jeremy’s father. Yeager was Jeremy’s uncle.
Search teams are continuing to look for Jeremy’s body today at John Redmond Reservoir in Coffey County. The Coffey County Sheriff’s Office expanded the search Monday using side scan sonar.
The victims were waterfowl hunting on the reservoir when their boat capsized. Authorities received a report about the accident at about noon Saturday.
Searchers found the bodies of Yeager and Jason Jenkins Sunday along with debris on the shoreline of the reservoir. The boat was found in the water.
Jason Jenkins grew up in the Neosho Rapids area and went to school in Hartford before later attending Northern Heights High School. He was a carpet layer and handyman.
Jenkins has been married to Shelley Yeager Jenkins for 13 years. Clint was Shelley’s younger brother.
Kandy Dall has been friends with Jason Jenkins since kindergarten, and Shelly Yeager Jenkins was her best friend.
Dall said Jason was fun to be around growing up.
“He got in a little trouble for being ornery here and there,” Dall said. “His son, Jeremy, was just like him.”
Jenkins was always willing to help out, Dall said.
“He built an apartment for my dad,” Dall said. “He had a heart the size of Texas.”
She said Jenkins loved being a father for his five children. Dall has lots of memories of him, including some of his own unique expressions and vocabulary.
“He had so many friends and he was always making us laugh,” she said.
Dall said Shelly Jenkins is holding up as well as can be expected under terrible circumstances.
“She lost her husband, brother and son at once,” Dall said. “I think once they find her son she will be doing better.”
Jason Jenkins was a constant presence in Janel Pabon’s house as a kid visiting with Pabon and her two brothers. They would play football, hunt or go fishing. One time wrestling got a little out of hand and the end result was a dent in the wall.
“For all intents and purposes Jason was my brother,” Pabon said.
Pabon said Jenkins was always there for her family and anyone else that needed a helping hand. She said he will be missed greatly.
“More often than not he was doing something crazy,” Pabon said with a laugh. “We were just along for the ride, and it usually was a good ride.”
Jacobs Creek Landing resident Marcia Sell said Yeager was an amazing young man.
“He had a smile that lit up the room,” she said. “He was kind, generous, funny and loyal. He would and probably did give his life for others.”
Sell said that Yeager is leaving a hole in their small community.
“It can never be filled,” she said. “We lost much more than just a young man. We lost a young man who would have in later years shown the younger generation what a real man is supposed to be.”
Michael Mahan grew up next door to Yeager in Neosho Rapids. The two enjoyed going fishing in the river and helping their families with the farming.
Yeager played football, soccer and ran track growing up.
“He was very athletic,” Mahan said. “Football was probably his favorite. He did really good in that sport.”
Yeager was a kicker on the Hartford High School football team and was named all-area 8-man first team by The Gazette in 2005.
Mahan stayed in touch with Yeager after high school. He said Yeager was gone to do welding work most of the year, but he would come back to help with the bean harvest. They would catch up while riding the combine.
“We’ve had our ups and downs, but that’s life,” Mahan said. “He was a good friend. He got along with everybody.”
Memorial pages were created for the accident victims on Facebook and have been an outlet for friends to express their support to family members and share some of their favorite memories.
A savings account has been set up at Hartford State Bank for the Yeager and Jenkins families. Anyone wishing to donate, can send a payment to the bank at 208 Commercial, Hartford KS, 66854.
jmac (anonymous) says...
do u have a link to the facebook page?
December 7, 2010 at 3:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
This is such a sad story........especially for the poor woman who lost her son, her husband, and her brother....I can not imagine that pain. Hopefully, somehow, she will be able to find peace some day.
December 7, 2010 at 4:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dj2879 (anonymous) says...
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/In-L...
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Pray...
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/In-L...
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/In-M...
December 7, 2010 at 4:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jmac (anonymous) says...
thanks dj
December 7, 2010 at 10:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pennyone (anonymous) says...
My heart goes out to the Jinkins and Yeager families. My family suffered a similar loss in November, 2008 when my 15 year old nephew drowned in Tuttle Creek. One death was bad enough, I can only imagine the pain times 3. Our prayers go out to you all and a word of hope, do not give up on finding Jeremy. My newpew's body was not recovered until the spring, but we did get him back. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Penny
December 8, 2010 at 4:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )