Jack Leon and Jeralene "Jeri" Kitchens

1935 - 2021

Kuna - Jeralene (Jeri) Julia Markham Kitchens (86) passed away on December 10, 2021 and her beloved husband of 65 years, Jack Leon Kitchens (91) passed away 15 days later on December 25, 2021. Jeri was born in Albion, Idaho to Robert and Galena Markham on November 4, 1935. Jack was born in Boise Idaho to Albion (Al) and Marguerite Kitchens on October 28, 1930.

Jack graduated from Boise High School in 1948 and served in the Navy on the USS Osborne during the Korean War (1952-1954) as a Sonarman. At age 90 Jack could still do the entire alphabet in flag semaphore. He loved to share the many stories of his time in the Navy. Jack was an avid learner. He always had a stack of books by his side and could rightfully boast of his vast vocabulary. He often read to the grandchildren and loved playing a vocabulary game with them we called Stump Grandpa.

Jeri married Manuel Gutierez at 17 and they had a son, Stacey Ray. Jeri gave up custody of Stacey two years later when they divorced. Jeri was thrilled when, a few years ago, she was able to reconnect with Stacey Ray for the first time in 65 years. Jeri also honored the sanctity of life by giving birth to her firstborn daughter and placing her for adoption (Laura Leiter). Regretfully they never met as adults.

Jack and Jeri met while dancing at the Miramar Ballroom. Jeri had many wonderful qualities one of which was her outward beauty. Jack said he knew when they met that she was the one. They married in 1957 and had two children, a son Kelly and daughter Laura. Jeri worked as a secretary/bookkeeper supporting Jack while he drove a truck and earned his business degree at Boise Junior College. Later, they owned and operated Kitchens Oil Company together, an enterprise that continued for many years. Jack left the fuel business to pursue real estate. He obtained his real estate license and worked hard to earn one of the first CCIM designations in Idaho. He loved commercial real estate and flourished in that business helping to change the landscape of Boise and teaching real estate principles to others. Ultimately, Jack and Jeri developed and managed several apartment complexes before retiring to their cattle ranch in Kuna.

Jack and Jeri worked hard at everything they did and were seldom idle. Jeri was an excellent cook and loved to feed people. She was also an expert gardener, often canning the vegetables grown in her large garden. She had a fondness for flowers and could tell you the name of most. She passed on both her love of cooking and her love of gardening to her children and grandchildren. In 1971 Jack and Jeri built a cabin at Smith's Ferry, Idaho overlooking the Payette River. Many enjoyable family memories were made there - picking huckleberries, lumberjacking, motorcycling, snowmobiling and sitting on the deck watching the sun set. You would often hear Jack say, "Life doesn't get any better than this." They truly were magical times. Jack and Jeri were generous. They loved and were loved back by many friends and family. We are grateful for our time with them, and carry memories and lessons from both that are too numerous to list.

Jack and Jeri are survived by Jeri's two sisters, Emma Jean Leonard and Connie Wagner; their son Kelly Kitchens (wife Marline) and daughter Laura Shaul (husband Derry); five grandchildren: Katie Kitchens Stewart (husband Matt), Taylor Kitchens, (wife Melanie) Devin Shaul Severson (husband Eric), Carli Shaul Salvador (husband Paulo) and Connor Shaul (wife Sydney Platsman); and nine great grandchildren. Jeri is also survived by her son, Stacey Ray Gutierrez (wife Trudy and family) and daughter Laura Leiter Phillips (husband Bill and family). Jeri was proceeded in death by her parents and brother Lonnie Markham. Jack was proceeded in death by his parents and sister Barbara. A memorial service will be announced for a later date when out of state friends can travel to attend.