Jeffrey Lynn Tonkin

Jeffrey Lynn Tonkin walked into eternity January 27, 2021 surrounded by the family that loved him. Seventy-seven years ago on November 16, 1943 he was born to Lucille and Rolland Tonkin. A true Cornhusker, he grew up in York and Grand Island, Nebraska with two brothers and graduated from Hastings College in 1967. Through his academic years, he pursued the sports he loved: basketball, football, and wrestling, many times being coached by his infamous dad, Tonk. In 1978 he received his master’s degree in Public Administration from University of Northern Colorado.

While at Hastings he met his “lovely and tall wife,” Nana Jane Karnes, and after their 1968 wedding they sped off together to begin his military service in Alaska. The Army sent Jeff to Vietnam in July of 1969, and after three months there he sustained an injury that resulted in the amputation of his lower legs for which he received the Purple Heart. He was transported back to Denver, Colorado where Nana was waiting for him. After the military moved them to Texas, then Arizona, and then Alabama, Jeff retired from the service and he and Nana settled in Ft Collins, Colorado.

It was in Ft Collins where Jeff’s welcoming grin and genuine personality brought him wonderful friendships during his twenty years in Hewlett Packard’s Human Resources department. So many summers he was the proud bingo caller at HP picnics and pitched for their softball team. It was also in Ft Collins where much to the entertainment of his children, Jeff ventured into playing wheelchair basketball. He was a frequent guest speaker on the local high school’s Vietnam panel, he pushed his chair in the Rawhide Marathon, was “volunteered” for roles in Nana’s theatrical endeavors, and also became the chief cookie baker for the Butterfly Kisses Father-Daughter Dance. Jeff and Nana took care of over 30 foster kids, hosted graduations and weddings, and held countless games of baseball in the front yard. He was a faithful member of the Wednesday morning Bible study and the First Christian/Clearwater Church congregation. Over the decades he was committed to daily devotional time and his faith grew as he learned to love and follow God in a way that made him a wonderful father and husband.

If you know Jeff, you know how much love and joy he gave and received when his family was around. From feeding newborn Mara during his lunch breaks, to driving to North Dakota to watch “Little Eric” coach, he looked for any and every opportunity to love on his Tonkin Tribe. Oh the things he did for his family: memorized and performed Abbott & Costello routines, dressed up as a bookworm in a parade, took on all-time quarterback in neighborhood pick-up games, coached elementary girls basketball teams, latch hooked Santa pillows for all his kids, exposed his grandkids to his musical repertoire that ranged from Statler Brothers to the Hallelujah Chorus, and took on the position of commissioner for the family March Madness and Fantasy Football games.

It was Jeff’s loyalty, kindness, and selflessness that made him so easy to be around and so easy to please. His steadfast sense of humor and wit made him always quick to chuckle and a treasure to be with.

In his final days Jeff showed new depths to his strength, toughness, and will to fight. He fought to the end, caring for and loving on his family all the while. Jeff, Dad, Aboo will be ardently missed by his four children, son-in-law, two daughters-in-law, and ten grandchildren, but it is with an overwhelming peace and joy that his family looks forward to spending the rest of eternity with him.

Amongst a host of lovable quirks, Jeff loved sweet corn and was the proud owner of a flip phone.

SERVICE INFORMATION:

Clearwater Church

2700 S Lemay Ave

1pm Wednesday Feb 3

STREAMING SERVICE:

Clearwater Church’s Youtube live stream of the service

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCij4QeuUhvQSkeywwlkE9Ew/videos

Clearwater Church Facebook Live

https://www.facebook.com/clearwaterfc/?ref=page_internal

While the family wishes there were no limitations on attending this service, due to current COVID-19 restrictions, we strongly encourage you to consider streaming the service if you are able as the seating is limited and we cannot guarantee seating availability above 100 people.

Jeff will have a private interment Thursday morning at Ft Logan National Cemetery with full military honors.

Those who wish to make a memorial donation are encouraged to consider Focus on the Family, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or Disabled Veterans of America.