Jaren (Jare Bear, Sprout) Kent Bettendorf

Jaren Kent Bettendorf 19, of McKinleyville, passed away after sustaining an injury falling from a houseboat early in the morning on July 21, 2012. He was born November 5, 1992 in Eureka. He graduated from McKinleyville High School in 2011, after which he enrolled in College of the Redwoods the following year. Jaren was planning to transfer to Monterey Peninsula College with his lifelong friends starting this fall. Jaren enjoyed playing a diverse array of sports and spending time outdoors. While in Little League, Jaren was a member of many successful all star teams, including his eleven year old season which competed in the Northern State Championship Tournament. In high school, Jaren was a three sport letterman, including four years in golf, two in basketball, and one in football. During which he was voted Most Inspirational by his teammates in golf and basketball his senior year. In the off seasons, he spent much time waterfowl hunting, fishing, wakeboarding, and snowboarding. Most recently, Jaren had taken up disc golf and progressed to an amateur player. Jaren is survived by his parents, Kent and Denise Bettendorf, his older brother, Ren Bettendorf, his grandparents, Les and LaVonne Addison, and also leaves behind aunts, uncles and cousins. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Ervin and Erma Bettendorf and his close friend, Kalin Reynolds. The pallbearers will be Ren Bettendorf, Chris Henson, Kenton Johnson, Shane Larson, Corbyn Bubenik, Garrett Godwin, Cameron Boyce, and Austin Grissom. Jaren was loved by many and he loved them back. He had numerous people who considered him a close friend. He was always ready with a joke and knew how to make anyone laugh. Jaren was always looking for a good time and lived life completely in the moment, whether it was grooming his mullet or maintaining his mustache. He will be missed and remembered by many. We love you Jaren. In honor of Jaren Bettendorf's life, we will be having a memorial service at McKinleyville High School football field, 1300 Murray Road on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 1 PM. Friends and family are invited to attend. A reception will be held following the memorial at the Bettendorf residence at 1723 Murray Road, McKinleyville. Shuttle service will be available from the high school to the reception. Private graveside services will be held at a later date in Trinidad. If any individual or family wishes to make a donation, please make them to the McKinleyville High School athletic fund, 1300 Murray Road, McKinleyville, CA 95519. We would also like to thank everyone for the immense amount of support we have received in the past week. It means more to our family than words can say. Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click obits.