James D Brinkerhoff

James D Brinkerhoff passed from this life on December 16, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love, service, and charity.
Born in 1947 in Coalville, Utah, he was the middle child of J Darwin and Mary Marchant. In 1953, his family journeyed to Texas, where he grew up at Biggs Air Force Base in El Paso. His final high school year was spent in Spanish Fork, Utah, where he graduated in 1965.
A devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jim's faith was not so much spoken as lived. He devoted 17 years as a bishop and member of the bishopric. He served an honorable mission to Central and South America-Costa Rica, Venezuela, and Colombia-and later, alongside his beloved Delilah, to Fort Riley, Kansas, where they helped military personnel and their families find peace in the gospel. His most recent service was as an ordinance worker at the Ogden, Utah Temple, where he continued to serve with unwavering dedication.
In his professional life, Jim was a gifted mechanic, having worked at Sears Automotive before becoming an engineer. His academics took him to Brigham Young University, where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. It was there that he met Delilah Orr, the woman who would become his eternal companion. They were married and sealed in the Manti Temple on November 24, 1970. Together, they raised five daughters and two sons.
He is survived by his daughters Jessaca (David) Olsen, Aprihl (Chris Walker) Brinkerhoff, Roxanne (Thomas Roybal) Brinkerhoff, Evie (Jeremy Montague) Brinkerhoff, and Malynda (Ed) Schindler. Jim also leaves behind nine grandchildren, nine bonus grandchildren, and his sister, Suzanne. He was preceded in death by his parents, his two sons, Dustin and Derek, and his brother, Larry J.
Jim's career as an engineer took him through many stages, with one of his proudest achievements being his work on the A-10 Warthog at Hill Air Force Base, from which he retired in 2014. Outside of work, Jim was an avid gardener, tending to the fruit trees and vegetable gardens alongside Delilah, where he was rightly proud of his tomatoes, squash and pepper plants.
There was no place Jim loved more than being with his family, whom he loved to tease and make laugh. Summers were spent in their backyard, either in the pool teasing his grandchildren or riding four wheelers where he taught and mentored them. He loved their family trips to Flaming Gorge, where he wowed everyone with his Dutch oven cooking and fearlessness in cliff diving. Jim had great passion for scouting, where he earned his Wood Badge and volunteered countless hours mentoring the youth through both the LDS Church and the Boy Scouts of America. He embodied kindness and humor, always quick with a joke and a smile, and never a stranger to anyone he met.
His life was a testament to the power of love, service, and humor. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and we look forward to the day that we meet again.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the West Point 19th Ward, 855 North 4000 West, West Point, Utah. Viewings will be held on Friday, December 20, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30-10:30 at the same church. Interment will be in the West Point Cemetery.
Click this link to view additional details about James's Services: https://my.gather.app/remember/james-brinkerhoff
Click this link to view additional details about James's Services: https://my.gather.app/remember/james-brinkerhoff