Jerry Askins Obituary

I am heartbroken to announce the death of my dad, Jerold Leroy Askins (aka. Jerry). He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family at the age of 83 the evening of March 26, 2024 in Palouse, Washington.

He was the first born to Weldon and Anise (Brantner) Askins in 1940, in the warm month of July on the family farm which is still based at the edge of Kamiak Butte, Palouse, WA. The family grew in 1941 with a brother James (aka. Jim). The brothers grew up helping their parents on the farm with many chores including but not limited to caring for livestock, haying, farming, household chores, maintenance on equipment and helping others in the community.  His beloved sister Connie joined the family many years later and was also held to the same type of chores and farm work. While growing up in the country, it was a close community with surrounding families and still remains that way until the current day, just to mention a few families near the farm, Jeffries, Wells, James and Slonaker's. These years developed the hard work ethic and unconditional love of family that he carried with him until the end of his life on earth.

After graduating from Palouse High School in 1959, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in California, near Yuba City. He worked as a diesel mechanic, after four years he volunteered for grounds crew on the base as a firefighter. During this time, he met the love of his life, Idella (Smith) Griffin. They had two daughters Deanna and Aquella while in California. Eleven years after their first child, their miracle child was born in 1976, a son they had wished for, John Weldon. Jerry and his new family stayed very close to the Smith Family and ranch lifestyle in Oroville and Greenville California. He fit right into the family as he liked to work hard, help others, still joke around and play/listen to music. He worked at a service station as a mechanic and met our life long family friends the Beaver's. Many of my dad's stories included staying up all night working on race cars or machinery to get them ready for the next day (As I remember them, I think they were called all-nighters.) When the family transferred from California to Palouse, WA in 1967 it took the whole family to drive the convoy of cars, trucks and trailers my dad had accumulated. I'm sure it was quite a show from the stories I heard.

Our family lived in St. Maries, ID for a short time, The Beaver family moved from California joining our family in St. Maries where we met some great people, including the Sullivan, Mueller and Ditman families, among others. He worked in an auto body shop, delivered and set up mobile homes, enjoyed playing music and the great outdoor activities surrounding the St. Joe.

We moved back to Palouse, WA where my dad had many agriculture jobs, Cenex, McGregor's, BestWay Equipment in Palouse, John Deere located in Tekoa, Palouse School District as a bus driver and mechanic, then on to drive for Ted Holder Trucking. He still found time to help on a farm whether it was the Askins Family Farm, Anderson's, Gottschalk (a life-long friend) during these years.

In 2001, my dad was remarried to Connie Ham and she had two sons, Ryan and Aaron Ham. They also traveled and camped some. He continued to work haying, hauling horses and maintenance on the equipment on the Wheatland Morgan Farm located in Palouse. They took many trips to the Washington Coast where he enjoyed visiting with family. He enjoyed the water views from afar as he did not like the water. He enjoyed visiting Alaska with his brother-in-law, Jim Seather and family. Dad shared many photos and stories of his trip; he enjoyed visiting the beautiful country.

Dad enjoyed being with family and many close friends, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and farming. Also, as a member of the Palouse Mud Clutchers Jeep Club, the families enjoyed camping, fishing, automobiles (to include: hot rods, trucks, tractors) playing music or taking a road trip with no agenda. He was known for his shenanigans whether a funny expression on his face, an unexpected body position while working on trucks and cars, pretending to race you down the road or that excited wave when seeing you. He liked to see people happy and smiling. He was always there for anyone who needed someone or something. He taught his children, grandchildren and many kids in this community to drive. Would leave the house at any time to help a person in need (say broke down on the side of the road or stuck) he would be there. Dad had the kindness to stop and share a story or maybe two with anyone he met.

Jerry was proceeded in death by his parents, Weldon and Anise (Brantner) Askins, aunts and uncles (most recent Aunt Ramah Archer), sister-in-law, Jeanette Askins, son, John Weldon Askins, lifelong friend George (Bud) Decker.

Surviving Family: wife, Connie Ham, daughters, Deanna Askins and Aquella (Askins) Lovejoy, brother, James Askins, sister, Connie (Gary) Jennings, Step-Sons, Ryan (Emily) Ham, Aaron Ham, daughter-in-law, Lisa Askins, nieces, Nikki (Craig) Corbeill, Tina (Bob) Taylor, Pam Shawver, Kadie Stanaway (John Burnett), nephew Nathan Medutis (Lynn Moser), nieces Breeann (Joel) Schlegel, Shanaya (Wyatt) Boggs, Grandchildren, Mikaila Martin, Cassie (Justin) Braun, Trapper (Heidi) Askins, Jaedan Askins, Sawyer Ham, great granddaughter, Jordan Martin, There is many more great nieces and nephews, cousins to mention and add to this wonderful family.

We are blessed to have shared the years and continued memories of this wonderful, kind and generous man we call Jerry, I call him "DAD". You will be missed and I Love You!

A Tribute will be held May 4, 2024 at the Viola Community Center, 1007 Rothfork Road, Viola, ID 83872 at 2 PM followed by a potluck prepared with some of his favorite dishes. He will be placed to rest at the family cemetery, Mt. Olivet at a later date.