Reece Jenkin, longtime Colfax High School boys’ basketball coach, died Friday, February 27, 2026 at his home following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 45. Reece had learned of his cancer diagnosis on December 11th. He fought hard until the end. Reece was leading the Bulldog boys this year to an undefeated 24-0 record and holding the No. 1 seed in the state 2B tournament. Coach Jenkin recently gathered the team at his home to encourage them, show his love and support for them, and let them know it would be alright as they went forward without him. He is remembered by many in the coaching community as “one of the best”.

Reece was born August 28, 1980 in Spokane to Rick and Nancy Jenkin. He grew up in Nine-Mile Falls with his older brother Josh. Reece attended school in Reardan where he excelled in football, basketball and track. He graduated from Reardan High School in 1999. He went on to play basketball at Big Bend Community College and Whitworth University. Reece earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Whitworth. During his senior year there; he met Breanne Rugo through mutual friends. They married August 27, 2005 and after a few months moved to Colfax, Washington where Reece was hired as the Business Manager for the Colfax School District.

He coached middle school football for one year before becoming the head coach of the Colfax Bulldogs boy’s basketball team. In his 18 years as head coach; he has led his teams to more than 300 wins, eight consecutive state tournament appearances and state titles in 2012 and 2024. He is a beloved member of the Inland Northwest coaching community. Reece also coached for the Hooptown Elite AAU program in Spokane for many years. They played in games all over the United States during those summers. Reece truly had a passion for basketball. His family was also very important to him. A loving father to his three children; he was very proud of all of them.

Reece is survived by his wife Breanne and their children; Adrik (18), Allie (15) and Ryker (13) at their home in Colfax; by his parents, Rick and Nancy Jenkin in Reardan, Washington; by his brother Josh in Reardan and by his extended family and a whole host of players, coaches and friends all over the Northwest.

He will be buried in the Colfax Cemetery in a private family ceremony. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, March 14th, at 10:00 am at the Colfax High School Gymnasium. Memorial gifts are suggested to the American Cancer Society fund for pancreatic cancer.

Corbeill Funeral Home in Colfax is caring for the family.