Obituary for Ryan Jenkins Ryan Wayne Jenkins, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away Monday, November 12th, 2018 at his place of residence in Phoenix, Arizona. Born April 12th, 1976 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Bill Jenkins and Lora Burson, Ryan grew up in the Albuquerque area until his mother and step-father, Joseph Johnson, relocated to Phoenix in 1979. Ryan was a life-long lover of trains, planes, and automobiles, especially fighter jets and sports cars.
This led to a love of all things science fiction and space exploration. With his trusty telescope, remote controlled airplane, and an affinity for Star Trek, Ryan was ready to take on the final frontier. These passions would never leave him, as he contemplated joining the military and pursuing flying as a career and continued a love for sports cars and motorcycles throughout his life, always owning at least one of each.
Ryan also grew up playing amateur golf all throughout Arizona and California and routinely placed in state tournaments. The highlight of his youth was spending summers with his father Bill at the Olympic Golf & Racquet Club in Palm Springs, California. Along with playing golf as often as possible, Ryan attended summer camps at Camp Costa Mesa, and loved trips to Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, and Universal Studios.
Ryan also learned how to camp and fish along the Colorado River in Big River, California. After attending and graduating from Barry Goldwater High School in Phoenix, Ryan studied at Arizona State University, graduating with a degree in political science. While attending ASU, Ryan was very active with the Arizona Federation of College Republicans and served as their chairman.
Ryan was honored by the Republican National Committee for “best republican college website” in 2000. Shortly after college, Ryan ran for a seat in the Arizona Congress in 2002, however; was unfortunately defeated and did not ultimately pursue a career in politics. Upon entering the professional world, Ryan followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and worked in HVAC and refrigeration servicing and repair.
Ryan would go on to advance his learning in plumbing, electrical, progressing into large-scale construction projects, such as the planning and development of Talking Stick Resort and Casino in Scottsdale, Arizona. Evolving his career in the construction industry, Ryan ultimately became a project manager, focused on the facilities management of Starbucks nationwide. After a long tenure of project management, Ryan excitedly accepted a construction management position with Harkins Theaters, a job he was most proud of.
Here Ryan would assist Harkins with their continued efforts to ensure their moviegoing patrons had an unmatched experience. Ryan would be on-site for both remodeling projects as well as new construction projects nearing completion. Harkins commitment to excellence down to the detail was something Ryan appreciated and fit his personality well, as he was very organized and meticulous both professionally and personally.
Service will be held for Ryan in Pratt, Kansas at 11AM, December 1st, 2018, at a private family cemetery. Larrison Mortuary of Pratt, Kansas will be carrying out the funeral services. In lieu of flowers, both Ryan and his family ask for donations to be made to either The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or One-N-Ten Arizona; two causes near and dear to Ryan’s heart.
Ryan is preceded in death by his mother, Lora Johnson, of Phoenix, Arizona. Ryan is survived by his father, Bill Jenkins, of Big River, California, his step-father Joseph Johnson, of Phoenix, Arizona, his brother Myles Johnson, of Scottsdale, Arizona, and his beloved Italian Greyhound Sicily.
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