Gerald 'Jerry' Everett Wilkens Obituary (1950

Gerald (Jerry) Everett Wilkens, 72, of Union Gap, Washington, passed away on November 19, 2022, at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, due to complications he developed from a fall at home. Jerry was born January 16, 1950, to Everett and Lucille (Quackenbush) Wilkens, in Union Gap. He attended schools in Union Gap and Yakima, graduating from Eisenhower High School in 1968. After graduation, Jerry served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged with the National Defense Service Medal. Upon return from the Navy, Jerry worked various jobs in the local fruit and hop industries, he bartended at Tinys Tavern, in Wapato, and later in life was a truck driver. After retirement, Jerry enjoyed working at the Central Washington State Fair, driving shuttle, and visiting with all the fair goers. Jerry loved to hunt, tell stories, and most of all, fishing. When he wasnt fishing, he could be found with his lifelong best friend of 66 years, Rod Kinney. You could find the dynamic duo at various horse racetracks and casinos, gambling together. Jerry had a knack for telling jokes, and you never heard the same one twice. His ability to make you laugh and the love for his family and friends will be deeply missed. In the last decade, Jerry rekindled his relationship with the love of his life, Deb Sides. The two of them shared many years together, enjoying each others company, reminiscing of their younger years, and making each other laugh. He is preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Laura Wilkens. He is survived by his lifelong love, Deb Sides, his children, Darin (Tamiko) Wilkens, Traci Wilkens, Jeremy Wilkens (Montee Harris), Trisha (Tommy) Johnston, and Tommy Wilkens, his sisters, Joyce Wilkens, Bev (Norb) Lollis, Jackie Anderson, and Sue (Andre) St. Aubin, numerous nieces and nephews, fifteen grandchildren, Kia Stanton (Timmy Rice), Brady Stanton, Hunter Wilkens, Dakota, Jessa, and Tink Poirier, Darin Jr., and Wade Wilkens, Zoe, and Magnolia Wilkens, Becca, Bryson, and Cody Wilkens, Kirsten and Gus Lindblad, and three great-grandchildren, Allison Stanton, Liam Leingang and Gracie Rice. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 26, 2022, from 12:00-5:00pm, at the Ahtanum Youth Park Youth Barn (1000 Ahtanum Road, Union Gap, WA 98903). Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com. Celebration of Life Ahtanum Youth Park Saturday, November 26, 2022 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM 1000 Ahtanum Road Union Gap, Washington 98903