Donald Vernon Jorgensen

Donald Vernon Jorgensen died Saturday December 5th, 2015 at the home of his daughter Carol Bodily in Idaho Falls, Idaho after a short battle with respiratory failure due to congestive heart failure. He was 90 years young. Our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed this life to be with his sweetheart, Erma whom he has missed so terribly since her passing October 7, 2005.

Dad was born June 24, 1925 to Francis Vernon Jorgensen and Rheva Henriksen Jorgensen in Pocatello, Bannock County, Idaho. He was the second son in a family of 7 children. According to his big brother he was full of the "Dickens." His creative mind and mischievous nature lead him to all kinds of adventures. His father Francis died in an accident when dad was just 16 years old. On June 7, 1942 he and his father were digging a well and the poisonous gasses killed his father and landed dad in the hospital so that he could not even attend the funeral. Dad joined the Navy at the age of 17 and entered active duty on July 19, 1943 where he served until March 17, 1946. He had to leave high school to join, but was given an honorary diploma from Pocatello High School some 60 years later with a large group of veterans.

In the Navy, dad was trained as a signalman. He writes that his "unit at first was called the 4th Joint Assault Signal Co. There were 500 of us, half were Marines and half were Navy. We directed air strikes, naval gunfire, and artillery by radio wire or visual signal. We were divided up into different sections of the 1st Marine Division. I wore a Marine uniform, but I was in the Navy." He was on Palau, Tinian and other operations in the Solomon Islands.

While Dad was on the ship sailing to what could have been his death, he began reading the small copy of the Book of Mormon which was given to LDS soldiers. With this opportunity he began a lifelong love of the sacred book. He told us he learned to pray on the beaches in the South Pacific. He gained a strong testimony which he often shared with his children and many others. He continued to search, learn, and ponder about the Book of Mormon and the LDS church through-out his life. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many different callings in the church.

At some point in the winter of ‘46-47 he went on a hay ride with a group of friends and met Erma Louine Harmon. They fell madly in love and were married on March 12, 1947 in the Idaho Falls Temple. Their reception was a dual one with some dear friends from their "Gang".

Dad wanted to be an Architectural Engineer. When he got out of the Navy, he joined the Carpenters' Union and became a Carpenters' Apprentice at Pocatello Sash and Door, eventually becoming a Journeyman Carpenter. This was a trade he loved and at which he excelled. He was always making new jigs and tools to improve the way things were built. He never patented any of his inventions and was more than willing to share them with co-workers. Some of the best memories of his children and grandchildren are from the gadgets and toys he made for them from wood. He would build them and mom would paint them. They loved getting mom and dad's Christmas box.

Mom and Dad were blessed with 7 children: Alan Wayne, Kent Earl, Kelly Lynn, David Frank, Julie Dawn, Carol Sue, and Rebecca Ann. They lived in one small house most of their lives. Their home was full… of love and action and noise and much more. We went camping and fishing and the boys learned to hunt and the girls learned to wrap the wild meat. Dad loved every sport. After reading a book on skiing which he acquired at the Deseret Industries, he broke his shoulder going down the slope the first time. He was using skis and bindings, also from Deseret Industries. He loved to shop at DI. It made no sense to him to buy things new when perfectly good things could be purchased for much less at DI. He played tennis, golf, basketball, and was on a team that went to the All Church Softball Tournament in Salt Lake City. Still, his favorite may have been swimming and camping, which were often combined.

Dad loved mom with a devotion most of us cannot even imagine. They square danced and sang with the Silver Chords Senior Citizens group. When she got sick, he cared for her without complaint but never lost his ability to tease her. When she died, he was literally lost, often lamenting, "I've lost my inspiration." Carol and Julie have had some real adventures with dad those last 10 years and those adventures add much to the story.

Donald Vernon Jorgensen is preceded in death by His wife Erma Louine Harmon Jorgensen, both parents Francis and Rheva Jorgensen, a brother Boyd Jack Jorgensen, 3 sisters; Elenor Jorgensen, Beverly Corum and Melba Wilson, a granddaughter Emily Jorgensen and a grandson Eric Jorgensen. He is survived by his brother, Gene Jorgensen (Myrna), his sisters June Rumble and Eunice Babbitt, 7 children and their spouses; Alan Wayne (Susan), Kent Earl (Julia), Kelly Lynn, David Frank (Julie), Julie Dawn Marley (Dan), Carol Sue Bodily (Kevin), Rebecca Ann, 30 grandchildren and 64 great-grandchildren (unless we miss-counted).

Donald Vernon Jorgensen was a good, kind, fun loving man. Someone told his son that an icon was gone. That is pretty much true. We will miss him but he is on to the next adventure with his love Erma once again at his side. We love you Dad.

We want to express thanks for the good and the loving care which was given to him by Access Home Health Care employees and his daughters, Julie and Carol, and their families. We also appreciate the people at both the Pocatello and Idaho Falls Veteran's Centers. They knew him well and loved working with him, too.

A viewing will be held on Friday, December 11th at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Rd, between 6-8 PM. The funeral will begin at 2:00pm Saturday December 12th at the LDS Chapel on 1440 Lakeview Dr. with a viewing before the service at 1:00pm. Condolences may be sent to the family online at wilksfuneralhome.com.