Jay McKendrick

Jay McKendrick 84, of Burley passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Autumn Haven Assisted Living in Rupert, Idaho. Jay was born December 17, 1939 in Burley, Idaho to Viola Warner McKendrick and Merril Eugene McKendrick. Jay lived most of his growing up years in Shoshone , Idaho. He graduated from Highschool and then went on to school at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree and a master’s degree in Agronomy Science.

He married Judy Bodenhamer in August 1962 and was later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1967. From Moscow, Idaho they moved to Manhattan, Kansas and he attended Kansas State University and received his PHD in agriculture and land resource management. They had two children while living in Kansas - Scott and David. In 1972 they moved to Alaska where he was employed by the University of Alaska in Fairbanks and worked at the Agriculture Experimental Station in Palmer, Alaska for the next 26 years. They had two more children while in Alaska – Daniel and Steve.

In 1998 they moved back to Burley, Idaho to care for Jay’s mother. Jay continued to work for the oil company in Alaska as a consultant for revegetation studies on the drilling sites for the next 14 years. Jay loved to grow a big garden each summer and go fishing whenever he could. He enjoyed his books of history and detective novels.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents.

Jay is survived by his wife Judy and his four sons: Scott (Michelle), David (Charmoin), Daniel (Melissa), and Steve. And by their grandchildren – Ashton, Davin, Pheonix, Ethan, Seth, Sage, Maggie, Harmon, and Ashley.

We would like to thank the Staff at Autumn Haven for care and compassion for the past 3 years, and the Doctor’s and Staff at Minidoka Hospital, and Hospice Vision for their excellent care and attention.

Viewing/visitation for family and friends will be held 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, May 30, 2024 at Morrison Payne Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 31, 2024 at Riverside Cemetery in Heyburn, Idaho. Services are under the direction of Morrison Payne Funeral Home.

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