Jalair L Crooks

Jalair L Crooks  

May 27, 1939 – November 28, 2023  

After four months of separation, in the early morning hours of November 28, 2023, Jalair Leuretia Knudson Crooks awoke from mortal sleep, placed her hand into the hand of her husband and passed away. Their journey together into the realms of eternity beginning.

Jalair was born May 27, 1939, in Las Vegas Nevada to Clifford and Zella Knudson. She grew up in a family with three siblings, Craig (Darlene) Knudson, Linda (Keith) Latam, and Karen (Jim) Korican. Jalair’s parents raised her to embrace a life of purpose and significance seeking education and adventure in all things. During her youth, Jalair lived in Boulder City Nevada, Washington DC, Marion Ohio, Oakland California and Tecumseh Michigan learning and growing from the many experiences and individuals she met along the way.

Education was taught to Jalair as an entity to be desired, achieved, and obtained in life. After graduating from Tecumseh High School, Jalair attended Brigham Young University. While at BYU, she met John Crooks. They graduated from BYU both earning degrees in business.

Jalair and John were married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on September 9, 1960. Their plans turned to a move to Idaho starting with new jobs and a family. They were blessed with three daughters, Eileen (Dan) Ruth, Valynne (Bill) Underwood, and Pam (Chris) Arvas. Jalair and family remained in Idaho living in Rupert, Soda Springs, Rexburg, Mackay and Pocatello.

Jalair attempted to find work in the field of her degree finding employment near to impossible due to being a woman in the 60’s. Finally, she was hired to be a part-time typing teacher at Madison High School in Rexburg, Idaho. Soon after, John’s job transferred the family to Mackay, Idaho. Mackay exhibited challenges unique to a small town, one of those challenges came to Jalair in the form of a new career. She was offered a job teaching at the town’s elementary school. While teaching there, she also had the opportunity to teach Valynne and Eileen. The family eventually moved to Pocatello where Jalair taught at Whittier, and Bonneville Elementary until her retirement after 32 years of teaching.

Jalair loved being active, working to improve her home, and traveling. If there was a need, or problem, Jalair could remedy it. She was like her father and opting to fix something herself rather than waste money hiring someone to fix it for her. Much to John’s dismay, Jalair often attempted fixing electrical problems in the house herself. After several occasions, John relinquished his role as her assistant, he was done getting electrocuted from her questionable skills. Jalair saw every opportunity as a chance to be unique. She was fiercely independent, confident, sassy and as vibrant as the colored streaks she loved putting in her hair. She loved her cats.

Jalair was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved the teachings of the gospel and serving in the many callings extended to her. She served a mission for the church with her husband John in Salt Lake City, Utah at Temple Square which she enjoyed immensely.

After hearing a talk in church one day that emphasized the metaphorical idea of working to live a life of crescendo, Jalair became fascinated with thoughts of living her life of musical crescendo and playing out the notes of her uniquely individual song. She spoke of her crescendo, which was her grandchildren, Shawn, Amanda, Jared, Delaney, Maren, and Ryan, and her great grandchildren, Ollie, Charlie, and Harper.

Jalair is survived by her daughters Eileen, Valynne, and Pam, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Karen, brother, Craig and various nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, sister Linda, and her husband John.

Her passing leaves a tremendous emptiness in the hearts of those she left behind.

A viewing will be held Friday evening, December 8, 2023, 6-7 PM at Wilks Funeral Home 211 W Chubbuck Road, Chubbuck Idaho. Services will be conducted Saturday, December 9, 2023, 11 AM at the Walnut Ward Building on 954 E Walnut St. Pocatello, Idaho. The family will receive friends and family prior to services from 9:30 - 11:00 AM at the Walnut Ward Building. Interment will take place in Shelley, Idaho at Hillcrest Cemetery on Cemetery Rd.

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