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Tiffany was born Jan. 19, 1978, in Corvallis, the fifth of six children to Richard and Kathleen (Jenks) Johnson. She spent her early life in Philomath. Her family moved to Pennsylvania, for a little less than a year, after her dad got his master’s degree in nuclear engineering from Oregon State University, and then settled for many years in Los Alamos, N.M.

Tiffany and her family moved to Harney County in 1989, and she spent her sixth-grade year attending Crane Elementary School. The following year, her father took a sabbatical to England and brought the whole clan along with him. Tiffany enjoyed her time in England and traveling in Europe immensely. She made many long-time friends there, and came back to the states with a British accent that took her a while to get rid of.

The family returned to Crane in 1991, and Tiffany finished her school years at Crane. She participated in sports, and especially excelled at track, where she broke records for the 1,500-meter and the 800-meter, and took first in state her sophomore year of high school. She still holds the school record for the 800. While there, she also received the $1,000 Excellence in Recycling Award for starting a recycling program at the school. She was the editor of the Crane school newspaper, The Whirlwind, and was voted “most athletic,” “most artistic” and “craziest driver” her senior year. She graduated from Crane Union High School in 1996.

Tiffany got a track scholarship, and went on to obtain a B.S. in business management and marketing in 2001, a masters in economics in 2002 and a B.S. in physics and geology in 2004 from Portland State University, and resided in Portland the rest of her life.

Tiffany worked as a physical scientist in real-time power generation at Bonneville Power Administration in Portland from 2001 until 2012, when she left her job to travel and write, after having had a hard time dealing with her father’s death from brain cancer in 2010. Tiffany named him as the most inspirational person in her life, followed by Steve Jobs and Tina Fey. Her favorite quote was by Steve Jobs, and it sums her up quite nicely: “Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules…You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them, because they change things…they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

Tiffany was extremely active. She loved hiking, skiing, snowboarding, camping, surfing, wakeboarding, and, of course, running. Tiffany continued to train for, and run in, marathons her entire life. She ran the Hood to Coast Relay one year with a team from Bonneville Power. She also ran in the Race for the Cure and many other fun marathons, such as a St. Patrick’s Day run, in which she wore all green, and had her face painted with four-leaf clovers. This is another way to show that Tiffany never did anything halfway, it was all or nothing with her. Her brother, Brett, recalls, “When I lived with her in Portland, she asked me if I wanted to go for a jog. About three miles into it, I thought she might slow down, but she didn’t. At the six-mile mark, I felt like I was going to vomit, but didn’t want to look weak in front of my sister. She asked, nonchalantly, like she had just got done brushing her hair, ‘How are you doing so far?’ I pretended to smile, and struggled to talk, so I just nodded my head like everything was alright even though things were getting fuzzy. I saw a no crossing light up ahead and was praying for it to stay red, but somehow Tiffany made it flash ‘walk.’ I mean, the woman just kept on going, like Forrest Gump. After that ‘jog,’ I had trouble walking for four days, and swore from that day forward, I would be very clear about how far we would be going on a jog.”

Tiffany learned to play the viola as a child, and as an adult, had been learning to play the cello. She said she loved playing the cello because of the way it resonated in her. She said the cello was the closest sounding musical instrument to the human voice.

Tiffany was a great friend, sister, daughter and aunt, and she absolutely adored her nieces and nephew. She loved to shop and loved buying gifts, especially for the little ones. She always had a kind word for anyone who was having a hard time with life, even if she was having trouble in her own. She loved meeting new people from all walks of life, and learning as much as she could from them. She truly never met a stranger. She also loved traveling and had been all over the world.

In the eulogy, her brother, Brett, noted, “Tiffany was always looking for adventure. She was outgoing, looking for the unknown, dancing with the dangerous, and sitting on the edge. You’ve heard the story about how ‘Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow, what a ride!’ That was Tiffany!”

At the time of her murder, Tiffany was getting ready to take an extended trip, and intended to visit her old home in England again, as well as her old home in New Mexico, and a return visit to Thailand. She had just gotten her belongings stored away, and was saying goodbye to her Portland friends and family. She was also writing a lot, and working on a novel she hoped to eventually have published. She was very positive about her future and the part she would play in it.

Tiffany is survived by her mother, Kathleen Johnson of rural Harney County; sister, Jennifer Jenks of Hines; brother, Justin Jenks of McMinnville; brother and sister-in-law, Brett and Ryan Jenks of Waitsburg, Wash.; brother, Zachary Jenks of Bend; brother and sister-in-law, Jeromy and Erin Jenks of Washington; four nieces: Elina Jenks, Kaylani Kam, Sonora Jenks and Taylor Jenks; a nephew, Logan Jenks; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, other extended family and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Paul Johnson.

A memorial was held in the Crane High School gym Oct. 19. A second memorial will be held Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1624 NE Hancock in Portland, at noon.

Donations in Tiffany’s memory may be made to the “Tiffany Jenks Memorial Fund” at any US Bank. Money from the account will be used to pay for funeral expenses, and any legal costs the family might incur in the prosecution of her murderer(s). Any money remaining in the fund will be donated to the non-profit Tiffany Jenks Memorial Scholarship in Portland, which will be used to send child soldiers in Uganda to school to get a full education. This was a cause Tiffany had expressed an interest in supporting shortly before her untimely death.

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I speak to you

Tiffany-I speak to you. I know you’re here, God in Heaven wouldn’t be able to let you miss this. I feel you’re presence, you’re memory doesn’t flicker like a flame about to burn itself out, but instead grows bright and becomes a strong vision…. as though you were standing right next to me. I feel your strength. You, the one who taught me so much, who made me dig deep to do more. The one who cheered me on at track meets, despite my faults. The one who gave me courage to talk to girls. The one who embarrassed me in front of my friends and asked me if I got lucky after a dance or party, and knew very well the answer would be either “no” or “dude, it was just ben and I camping”. Such a humor you had, such a laugh, such a beautiful smile. So caring……..so caring, it was never enough for you to just be a sister….you had to be the one that brought the excitement, the gifts, God knows it was the gifts….it was your love language, you gave so much…..and there was nothing you expected in return.

Tiff-I love you so much, I have so much respect for you and there is nothing I can do to express that. I know where you are right now, I know you’re waiting for us with Dad….and wondering what the heck is taking so long because we were supposed to meet at this spot in the mall at a certain time. So I see you shopping right now, at the Nordstrom’s in heaven, wondering if this coat will fit Sonora, if Justin will like that gift, or if there’s anything you can find that will bring a little bit of joy to someone else. You cared so much, and your way of caring…..it’s not possible to give the words.

Tiff-I can speak to you, I can speak to dad. I can speak to both of you now and know your love……and I will feel it forever. You are there, you are our guardian angel, you are everything, I love you so much and feel so fortunate to be your brother.

Justin-I want to talk to you now. You are the elder, no matter how old I feel you will always be older than me. I love you brother. You have so much strength, and Tiffany saw that in you, as do all of us. She spoke of you often, of your help and support. I am so proud, and feel so fortunate to be your brother.

Brett- Now I want to talk to you. You….who Tiffany had much in common. You have fought a strong fight and have persevered. I have so much respect for you, as did Tiffany. I am so proud, and feel so fortunate to be your brother.

Jenny-I want to talk to you. You are a beautiful woman. You are a loving mother. You have the most beautiful wonderful daughter. We are all so proud of you and love you so much. So many times Tiff’s confidant, you did more for her than anyone….. I am so proud, and feel so fortunate to be your brother.

Zack-I want to talk to you now. Zack, there are no words to truly express what I feel at this moment. You, the one closest in age to Tiffany. You two went through school together just one year apart. You were there all along, through the good times and the bad. You are a rock, Zack. I am so proud, and feel so fortunate to be your brother.

Mom- I love you so much. You, the one who have so much good, so much great influence, who raised us and gave us hope no matter the circumstance, who pushed us to do more, the historian, the caregiver, the loving mother. Mom, we are all of us here to lift you up, to hold you now when you need it most, to give you strength. Strength you will need, strength you will find, in us…..

Mom, your kids, and most importantly your grandkids, need you so much. They need your love, your caring, your insight…..and everything you are…….everything they need to make them whole.

We are a family………we remain united……though it may not be something we want to do, to continue on through this grief, we don’t have a choice…we must continue, for those we love and who came before use, and those we love and who live on.

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-Tiffany used to play basketball in this Gym, right here, right where I wrestled. Right down there where I flopped like a fish struggling to breath as I got pinned. In fact I never forgave her for recording over my wrestling videos with some useless home cooking videos. she was in this gym, probably is right now, sitting with my Dad with grins on their faces, Like the old guys on the Muppets, popping jokes at those on stage.

-Tiffany was smart. I remember her explaining what she did at Bonneville Power and I didn’t understand a word of it. Something about power and trading and dams. Anyhow, I kept nodding like I knew what she was talking about even though I was oblivious to what she was saying but I thought it to be the polite thing to do. She then asked, “What do you do as a Physical Therapist-Aide” for which I replied, “laundry.” She kept nodding like I was going to say more. “No, really, that’s what I do, laundry.” We laughed pretty hard about that but I’ve always wondered if she was laughing WITH me.

-Tiffany always had more friends than me. She could make friends with anyone and it wasn’t hard for her as her smile and laughter drew people near. Her friends came from all walks of life and the ones I met always seemed to be caring individuals. She trusted people. I could never understand that with this world we live in now, but she could.

-Tiffany was always in style. One time, my wife and I were in Portland and Tiffany wanted to go out dancing. My poor wife had no idea what she was in for when Tiffany had transformed her with a complete makeover. High heels and all. Didn’t even look like my wife after Tiff was done. Thought I was dancing with a stranger.

-She loved to travel. She travelled much of the world. When we were in Gloucester, England on a return visit, Tiffany went into an outside bathroom stall as us Jenks Brothers waited outside. We heard Tiffany screaming for help and I thought something terrible was happening so I ran in the woman’s bathroom and kicked open the stall. I asked her what was going on, she said, “I was afraid, I couldn’t get out.”

-Tiffany loved to run….Boy she loved to run. If Tiffany ever asked you to go running with her you better know how far she plans on going in advance and bring your supplemental oxygen. When I lived with her in Portland, she asked if I wanted to go for a jog. I said, “Sure, let’s go.” About 3 miles into it, I thought she might slow down but she didn’t. At the 6 mile mark, I felt like I was going to vomit but didn’t want to look weak in front of my sister. She asked, nonchalantly, like she just got done brushing her hair, “how are you doing, so far?” I pretended to smile and struggled to talk so I just nodded my head like everything was alright even though things were getting fuzzy. I saw a no crossing light up ahead and was praying for it to stay red but somehow Tiffany made it flash walk. I mean, the woman just kept on going like Forest Gump. After that “jog,” I had trouble walking for 4 days and swore from that day forward I would be very clear about how far we would be going on a jog.

-Tiffany held the record for the 800 and 1500 meter and ranked 1^st in State. She continues to hold the record for the 800 meter. She received the $1000 1996 Excellent in Recycling award and was Crane favorite her senior year for most athletic, most artistic, and apparently, craziest driver.

-In her autobiography I dug up in storage dated 4-12-1992 when Tiffany was just 14 years old: She wrote in one section this:  “I have travelled to over 40 states and spent an entire summer in Washington DC.  I saw the real Kermit the Frog, Dorothy’s ruby slippers, and Fonzy’s jacket.  In the summer of 1989, when I was 11 years old, we moved to 1000 acre ranch in Eastern Oregon in the high dessert.  We had a 1 and ½ mile driveway and there were cattle always in the way.  Almost everyone owned cattle and horses, but I had only been on a horse once before and didn’t know much about cattle.  So, all this was very new to me.  I was used to next door neighbors, noisy roads, and lots of people, and here, there was none of that, but I liked it a lot.  We bought a house that was 7 miles away from a very small town, Buchanan.  We had only 2 dogs, 2 birds, a cat, and 3 gerbils.  I spent my 6^th grade year in a school called Crane.  It seemed like everyone was related.  I liked this school a lot, and my teacher, Mr. Steeves was, to me, the best teacher I had ever had.  I had always thought all teachers were grumpy and mean because every other teach I had was.  But he made me want to go to school, and it seemed like with him, learning was fun.  So, that made both me and my 12 year old brother, Zack, like Crane a lot more.”

-Tiffany was always looking for adventure, she was outgoing looking for the unknown, dancing with the dangerous and sitting on the edge. You’ve heard the story about Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow, what a ride!” That was Tiffany!

-Tiffany felt that she was the champion of her vessel, but somewhere she got lost along the way struggling to keep her lips above the waves. I could see her stepping forward busting her bounded chains and running, she would try to run the past away only to be shackled again and again.  The last time she ran, the track was clear, her voice was sobering, her loved ones forgiven as she forgave, the finish line was there as she closed her eyes one last time into the light.

-When I first found out about my sisters passing, I talked with my Mom on the phone. She said, “Our family is getting smaller, Buck.” I told her, “That wasn’t true. The blessings of Grandchildren makes that difficult to happen.”

-I wish I could have been there with her that night. I wish I could have stopped it. But I can’t stop the past, and I can’t predict the future, but I can hope for good things to come. And I can cherish each and every minute I have with my loved ones now. So look around, hold your loved ones close, take a deep breath, and smile knowing that you can still hold their hand. This life is short and we are all just a heartbeat away from a new beginning.

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The eyes of a child look back on a father and mother with eyes locked.  Time stands still only for a moment.

You carry me in your arms; I am comfortable; I trust you completely. You push me in a swing, as I ask to go higher only to see if it’s possible to go all the way around. A ball is caught in my glove; I did it; we smile; our eyes lock.  Time stands still only for a moment.

We hike together up mountains, travel the world, and see stars from a telescope, as we dream of planets like ours. We work on a car; you tell me “sometimes if the first person can’t get it, the second person might.” A knuckle is cut on an engine block; our eyes lock; a bad word is said.  Time stands still only for a moment.

You visit me when I leave home and encourage me to do better. A woman looks at me; our eyes lock.  Time stands still only for a moment.

You tell me, “I better strike while the irons hot”.  We laugh….. but I listen…….

Two hearts join with eyes locked; love ensues.  Time stands still only for a moment, then begins again as 1 is born.

The eyes of a child look back on a father and mother with eyes locked.  Time stands still only for a moment.

We name you Logan Richard Jenks. We play motorcycle games, and you love being pushed on your horsey; you learn to stand.

Cancer strikes, as one mans journey of courage and determination begins. You begin to get weaker, but the fight never ends, as you get on your backhoe and knock things over. You eventually get off. Our eyes lock; you try to smile, as I look at you with disbelief.  Time stands still only for a moment.

You tell me a person’s true character is reflected by his words, his actions, and his deeds….. and I listen.  I carry you in my arms; you are comfortable; you trust me completely.

My father passed away on Sept 3^rd 2010 at 4:30 in the morning but his spirit remains. The values he has instilled in me are love, happiness, honesty, integrity, courage, perseverance, respect, honor, compassion, determination, wonder, and faith. These are the values that I hope to instill in my own son, so he may be as great of a man as my father was.

Dad……. if you’re listening, we will travel the world again; we will see the stars together and dream of planets like ours; we will hike mountains together.  I will carry you there. I will see you again, our eyes will lock, we will smile.  Time will stand still for eternity.

I love you Dad.

Love Your son,

Brett

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He didn’t just teach us right from wrong. He taught us to be evenhanded…..and that what seemed right to us, may not be so for others.

He established a code of ethics years ago, he called it his “code of conduct”….and all of us kids were reminded of it by him on occasion. So dad, if you’re listening, I swear to live with

-Honesty-by always telling the truth and being truthful
to live with….
-Integrity- by being consistent in how I apply principles to all elements of my life
to live with….
-Fairness-by doing unto others as I would have them do unto me
to live with….
-Loyalty-to family and friends
to live with….
-Value-to make life count – to give something of good quality to others and not
expect too much in return

My fathers life was full of adventure and discovery. He considered himself a Jack of all trades, but master of none. He wore many hats along the way….he worked as a:

-Janitor
-Fast food worker at McDonalds
-Professional Sea Fisherman-he ran a boat on the coast
-Mill Worker
-Logger
-High School Teacher
-Collegiate Instructor in Nuclear Engineering
-Nuclear Engineer-He worked internationally to ensure nuclear energy was safe.
-Founder of TSHBI
-Mechanic
-and the list goes on…..

He mastered all of those. He was an inspiration and friend to all of those he worked with.

For those he lived w/ and loved……he was a rock. He will continue to be that rock because I will pray and talk to him every day. I will always ask for the advice he’s been so happy to give during his living years.

My dad was also somewhat of a poet. So I’d like to end with a poem he wrote when we were in England a couple decades ago:

“A Boy Named Sam”

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