True love

Every year when we would go up for the 24th of July to snowflake has always a fond memory for me.  One year I remember going with a group of women to the arts and crafts show, the quilt show, antique stops, etc...  Somehow your dad ended up driving us girls around for hours (I am sure not his favorite task).  It was nice of him but the part of the day that keeps running through my mind was when someone thanked Jeff and I looked up and saw this exchange between your parents.  The way your mom looked at him made it so transparent how much she adored him.  It was really sweet.  She was beaming.


Veronica

Milk Guzzler

Growin up every time we would walk by the Fridge Jeff was guzzling

from a gallon of milk.. are you kiddin him pour himself a glass of milk... no way he would say..
it doesn't taste the same unless i drink it straight...

He could guzzle the whole gallon in one sitting..no kidding....!!!!!

Luv ya,
Cyndi your Sis....

Spuda knawin on bones....

Knawin on the bones was the Best part...
MeeMee taught us to knaw on the bones....
The Crispier the Better....
Luv ya,

Cyndi your Sis

Stacy's Dad..

I Remember Growin Up with Stacy she had a Spell on Uncle Jeff.. She would Rub..Rubb.. on those thick ear lobes of his and turn around and get WHATEVER I mean Seriously WHATEVER she WANTED from her Dad.. So i thought Hey i Wanna turn.. Dah.. What the Heck.. it was like a Genie Lamp.. Poof you get what you Want..
Uncle Jeff and his brothers and sisters would talk using their Redneck Slang.. it was Hilarious to listen and watch them together.. nobody could follow or understand the conversation but them..
Sit them down to eat corn on the cob.. i don't think they swallow any of the corn.. you look up and it's all stuck up in their teeth.. and they just Laugh about it.. when he wouuld start Laughing I would just start Cracking Up.. I could sit there for hours and be entertained..
We sit at a table at the Family Reunions and everyone gets a Kick watching them all Chowing Down..
I Remember going to Uncle Jeff's cabin and nearly Drowning in the Frozen Pond.. My Cousin Sarah saved me.. I was Traumatized..
My Favorite thing to do at the cabin was Spotlighting looking for Elk.. Deer.. Moose.. Uncle Jeff would throw us all in the back of his truck and drive around the forest Shining his Spotlight in the dark looking for animals..
He would just show up and say Hi and be on his way to the next Project.. A Great Hard Worker.. I Admired that in him..
I Share my Birthday in the month of July with My Uncle Jeff.. Uncle Bill.. Aunt Crystal.. so I thought I was pretty Special..
I always looked up to Uncle Jeff.. I
Remember on Holidays and Family get together's Uncle Jeff always gave the Blessing and Prayers because he was the oldest and head of the family..
Love you Soooo Much Uncle Jeff..
Thankyou for the FUN Memories.

Family Man, Friend and Servant

Happy Birthday Jeff. What a life you've lived. I've know you for more then thirty year and feel like our lives have enter-wined like brothers. I've been blessed by your friendship and your continual acts of service. I couldn't even get out of my basement if it weren't for your custom made handrail you designed and installed for me. I'd probably still be hanging out there if it weren't for you.

I remember the first time I saw you ski. We had take a group of Young Men up to Sunrise. I was raised in the snow but I never developed your skills. I watched you and thought, "Now there is one coordinated Dude." It just seemed to me that you could do it all.

With all of you service I am sure you have gone through several pick-ups taking the youth on activities. You've hauled kids all over the state time and time again, never asking for help or any financial reimbursement. The Lord loves you for all of that.

When I think of your skills, there are only three other people that I know that are your equal. One is my father-in-law, Dan Thompson, my brother - in law and our brother in the ward, Ralph Mousseau. You are a dying breed and one that can't be replaced. People can use the computer, but who in the world is there that can problem solve, build and create things of beauty like Jeff Kartchner, and usually for half the cost. If there had been more of you Jeff, you wouldn't have had to work so hard.

Suzie and I were talking. We can't remember a time when your kids were growing up that you didn't have one of them in your truck going someplace together. Little Stephanie was the apple of you eye and everyone knew it. Then Jefferey came along. We all called him Lee Lee. He looked up to you and carried your big broad smile. You were surprised when you baby Stacy came along and you one day had to look up to her. It is no secret to anyone that each of the Grandchildren, stole your heart. Yes, your family has always been number one with you and you'd be the first to admit that many of your blessings have come from being a partner with you smart capable and wonderful wife Vickie.

Suzie and I love you Jeff. You ahve endurded and hung in with such bravery. We are sorry you've had to suffere so much and hope that soon you will be doing and feeling better. We need our old problem solver to be up and going if the good Lord is willin. When you are read, just let me know and we'll go buy the meal of your choice. You deserve the best.
Happy Birthday dear brother-

Suanne & Mike Huso

Gratitude

July 25, 2013

Dear Jeff

Happy Birthday!!!   

How I remember your 1^st birthday.  Considering I was only 3 years old you were the first chance I Had of getting a baby brother and I took it very personally.  Your birth re configured the Brigham Dewey and Maudie Margaret (Jackson) Perkins family.  From that point forward they would be known as MeMe and DaDa to everyone.  You inherited Gayles work ethic who inherited it from MeMe. Early to bed and early to rise, Work while the sun shines and then after the sun goes down labor in service for someone else is your style. 

Our personal relationship strengthened when we had Rheumatic fever at the same time.   I’ve always felt you contracted it from me as I was with you when mine began with strep throat. I’m sorry for that.  As I suffered under Meme’s care (everyone knows the quality there) I was always concerned if you were getting good care as you had already taken on the responsibility that came with being the oldest of a large family as well as having a part time father and a working mother.  The important thing is even as sick as you were you still managed with Debby’s help to keep all the kids from drowning in the ditch at the Labaron home where you lived that summer. 

I won’t even bring up the Mayor and the grapefruit incident again but I now have half a corvette so I will come and take you for a ride.

Your mission was a huge deal and I always knew it was a struggle for you to make it happen but as always you came through.  Most would not even know how hard it was for you to do it.  I did!!!!!

One Sunday when we lived in Glendale we heard a knock on our door.  There you stood with the most beautiful woman.  I knew immediately Vickie was going to be someone who would make a huge impact on me.  We visited and later we began dinner and asked you to stay.  You indicated that the two of you were conducting a special and important fast.  The day was ending and you stated perhaps you could end it.  We sent you and Vickie into the living room for some privacy while we put the dinner on the table.  When you returned you stated the two of you had the inspiration needed to make an announcement.   You were to be married.  We were all joyous and personally I thought “there is one lucky man.” I was right.  Once again I knew the tides of our family were changing its flow.  And they did. 

Jeff the language we use is very inadequate sometimes and I’ll never be able to express our gratitude to you for standing by our sides during the days following the death of our wonderful Brad.  Your quiet suggestions and acts helped us make some very crucial decisions that we never would have had the capacity, energy, or thought on our own to make during those bitter sweet days.  Each time we opened the door to make the next step you were sitting outside our door ready to chauffeur us and help us remain standing.  Thank you is not enough but it is all I have along with my love. 

We’ve absolutely loved being your neighbor.  We are so grateful for all your help, working with Bill, getting the permits, the lot, and all you’ve done for us since we decided to move to Gilbert.  We’ll always remember the kids walking the fence between our yards and will never forget Stephanie’s prize car that got her and Jessica where they needed to go as long as Jess held up the top lining while Steph drove.  And Vickie only a mother can know the importance of a prom dress for a daughter.  Thank you so much for taking that on in my absence.  It meant so much to Jessica and to me. 

You are one of the most patient individuals I have known.  Jessica’s wedding!!!! Oh my goodness.  You’d fix the electricity and I’d mess it up over and over again.  You brought all those trees in and planted them in the ground as if we were in the pines. 

Always quietly and unassuming you walk.  You don’t stand around asking you just start doing.

When we are in charge of the reunions I make assignments and then put for Jeff – everything else and you always do.

Have a very happy birthday brother Jeff…and all else inclusive.

Sue Sandsom

Dan asked me to write this for him.  He wanted to thank you for all you have taught him. 

He told of the day he went to help you with your remodeling project.  He strapped his work belt on and went over to ask how he could help.  He said you told him to stand on the fence and place struts etc in place and nail them down.  He said he was so scared but didn’t want to let on to you that he was unable to do it.  He said he looked down at you and you looked up with absolutely not a doubt in your expression that he could and he would – and he did.  That is truly esteem building.

True Friend

Memories of my friend Jeff Kartchner,

I feel honored to share a few thoughts and memories of a great man in my eyes, my friend Jeff Kartchner. Our family moved to the Gilbert area about 22 years ago, Jeff was the third or fourth person I can remember meeting the first time we attended our new ward. Ironically it wasn’t long before Jeff and I would be working together in the young men’s. During this time of serving together I began to see many noteworthy character strengths Jeff possessed. We all have different memories that would differ greatly about a person, here are a few that I would like to share about Jeff.

When I think of Jeff I think of an old blue dump truck, it looked scary, it looked old, but it always seemed to start and get the job done. We used this old blue dump truck for many service projects hauling off trash, teaching young men to work, helping neighbors and so forth. I can remember often getting calls from Jeff stating he would be a little late and that he was returning from a job somewhere in the valley. Next thing you know here comes the old smoking, dirty blue dump truck often with a tractor in the back. Jeff would jump out, dust off his pants from the day’s work and jump right in with whatever needed to be done. Then there was the blue Chevy truck Jeff drove for work, I’m here to testify to anyone whoever reads this that Jeff will never be accused of being prideful, anyone one who would drive that truck is a humble man!! That Chevy truck looked like it had hit everything but the lottery! I’m sure Jeff has many fond memories of that truck and all the many projects he built using that blue truck.

My next memory is short, but as I reflect on the first time I saw the house Jeff framed and completed the exterior on for Bob and Cindy Yost in the White Mountains I can remember vividly how breath taking it looked. I know there are a few young-men from our ward who Jeff took with him to help build it, I’m sure they still talk about it to this day and will someday share the story with their grandchildren as well.

The last memory I would like to share is about a supper activity Jeff and I were in charge of, this is so long ago Jeff may not remember, but to me the memory is as clear as yesterday. At the tail end of the activity we joined all the Stake young-men for 2 days somewhere between Eagar and Show Low in the White Mountains. We had many activities and learned many new skills. On the last day before we were to go home (I really wanted to go home) we had a morning fireside on top of what Jeff called a hill; I’m here to tell you it was a mountain (to me it was Mount Everest). Walking up this mountain was a very hard task, it took me over an hour and fifteen minutes, I stopped many times to catch my breath, my heart hurt so bad I honestly thought this would be where I would die. When I was about 80% of the way to the top Jeff passed me headed down, I thought oh good we are going to do something different and I won’t have to finish the climb. I asked Jeff where he was going, he said he needed to go get something or maybe he had to find someone? I remember getting to the top, sitting down thinking someone needs to get a helicopter to get me back down. Within 30 minutes Jeff was back, I was amazed he could go down and up again so fast and this made 2 times for him, I was still red in the face and breathing hard, Jeff just stood there, breathing normally, able to talk unlike me I couldn’t get my breath for over an hour. Jeff asked me once or twice if I was okay? I had to man up and say yes, but I was dying inside wondering if my Life Insurance payments were current? I was very mad when I found out many of the other leaders came up the back way in trucks (not fair). I decided that day that Jeff was part Goat or part Donkey what human could do what he did?

In closing I want to share my love for Jeff, for the true friend he has been. The unbelievable best Home Teacher our family has ever had. The best compliment I could ever pay to Jeff is he is the only man who I can compare to my Grandfather, both were honest hardworking men. Both were good humble priesthood holders, both spent much of their lives serving in young men’s calling, both taught many boys to work and to be men.

Happy Birthday Jeff, this has been a hard hard year, you have endured it well, you have set such a Christ-like example to us all.

Love you,

Dean

From him I Learned many things

My Grandpa known as Papa. Is a great man with many capabilities. He uses his capabilities for service to others. He is a fantastic man with a huge heart! I remember while working with him I learned many things like mowing, hedging, trimming and blowing lawns. Painting interior and exteriors of homes. How to put a toilet, doorknobs, doors, backboard, splash, tile, and the list goes on. I love my Papa more than words could ever say. Papa thanks so much for caring and teaching me how to be a man and to do my family proud. I am thankful I have the opportunity to cary on our Kartchner family name.

Austin Kartchner

Good and Goldy Man

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

I'm not sure how to put years of memories into a few words, but I'll give it a try.  The very first thing that came to my mind was you are a GOOD and GODLY man.  I remember years ( and I do mean YEARS) ago having help building huts for Cultural Refinment RS lessons in the Lindsey-Guadalupe building.  You and Delwyn (especially you) never did much grumbling.  That goes for anything anyone would ask of you.

 

You are a great friend to everyone especially my good husband.  There have beens highs and lows for all of us over the years, raising our kids together.  I remember looking out the doll house window one night and seeing Jeral and Stephanie (when they were first dating) parked there and wondering...; what really goes on that we (the parents) don't have a clue about. 

 

The generous nature you have has been a blessing to almost everyone I know. 

 

I came across this scripture this morning in 3 Nephi 12:40-42 :

"And if any man will sue thee at the law and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also; And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn thou not away"

 

That scripture is a description of YOU!  You love the Lord, your wife,kids and grandchildren- then add to that friends and anyone you meet and what more could you ask for?!

 

My whole family loves and admires the man you are,

Dana

Ready and Willing to assist

I have had the opportunity to work for the Kartchners in some capacity (always with kids involved) for almost 39 years now.  They are like a 2^nd family to me.

In August of 2001, my mom was battling the later stages of Alzheimer's.  I was at the Kartchner home performing my regular duties for them and watching the kids.  Jeff and Vickie had left for work, as was customary, and, by all accounts, it was a fairly normal day.  Mid-day, I received a call from my sister letting me know that my mom had taken an unexpected turn for the worse.  It broke my heart that I had no way of reaching her and, with the adults all at work, the prospect of me being there in her time of need seemed slim to none.  Not 10 minutes after the call, Jeff, certainly inspired, arrived home unexpectedly and, very uncharacteristically announced that he was home for the day.  Not knowing my situation or of the call I had received just minutes before, I informed him of the circumstances and he immediately advised that he would watch the kids so that I could go be with her.  My mom passed away that day a few hours after I arrived to be by her side.  I will forever be grateful for the promptings that brought Jeff home that day ready and willing to assist.

Debbie Johnson

You’re not just by brother, you’ve been my best friend

My early memories of you, remind me of the relationship of my grandchildren, Bradock and Raylee. When we were small we were the best of friends and did everything together. We really didn’t need to be around other children or friends, because we had each other and we depended on each other. Even in High School at Westwood, we ate lunch together and shared our food. I remember once, how badly you wanted this piece of chocolate cake that I had and really wanted to eat, but I gave in, because you wanted it more. People that didn’t know us thought we were boyfriend and girlfriend. I loved going to your track meets. I don’t think I every missed one that was close enough to attend. I missed you terribly when you were on your mission, especially my senior year. It made the year miserable and maybe that’s why I hated my last year of high school.

When Bill and I were in medical school, Mom had just passed away December 14^th and Christmas was approaching, we didn’t have extra money for a big Christmas. Bill’s family was coming and any extra money was needed for food. Our children had voiced their wishes for Christmas that year already. Justin wanted a club house and Donnie and Sarah each wanted Stereo/CD players. We couldn’t afford them, but you somehow found out, and told Bill that you had some materials left over from a job and we could have it for the club house if Bill could build it. The floor, walls, and roof were built, sided, and shingled in your driveway and brought over and assembled in the backyard that Christmas without Justin knowing. Bill’s brother, Jim, even got involved helping carrying in the pieces and ended up falling into the pool, and as you always do, thinking of others, brought over the two stereo/CD players for the girls making that Christmas very special. Thank you again.

In 1995, I was helping you during the construction of Stephanie and Jerel’s home in Val Vista Lakes and one afternoon, Mom called and told us she was bringing us lunch. We had just eaten, but not wanting to hurt her feelings by turning her down, said “sure, bring it on over”. We literally had to choke it down. It was Chinese food, which I don’t like very much anyway, but you ate yours and then helped me eat mine.

In 2000, I decided to do something about that old “popcorn” ceiling I hated in our house on Catalina. Always wanting to help, you came over and taught me how to do it myself and I did it. I got more energetic and wanted to replace the old Southwest white oak flooring that was scratched and missing some of the white-wash stain. I got this vinyl flooring and you took the time to help me lay it and I loved it. Jeff, I have always loved and appreciated the way you have always been there for me and my family when we needed help. I admire you for the service you have done for those you are associated with. I have so many wonderful memories of working on projects together here in Mesa, at your cabin in Hunter Creek, and at my cabin in Pinetop. You’re not just by brother, you’ve been my best friend and I love you so much.

Debby

Caring and Concerned about others welfare

 Debby and I had only been married about 5 weeks and You, Randy, and Beverly came to San Diego and you baptized me into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on December 29, 1974.  What a Great Day.  I was in the Navy then, and left on January 1, 1975 for nearly 9 months on a West Pac Cruise. After getting back, I still had about 3 months left to serve and I remember coming to Mesa and renting a U-Haul truck to move our things back to San Diego. Debby and I had this beat-up old Datsun B-210 sedan and we decided to put that car into that truck but we had no loading dock. You had a couple of 2x12’ and some cinder blocks and out in front of your house, I got a running start and drove up that make-shift ramp into the truck. Heavenly father certainly knows those whose need his help.

I got out of the Navy December 1975, and as soon as the Mesa Temple reopened after remodeling in January, I got my endowments and Debby and I were sealed for Time and All Eternity.  You were my escort during the endowment and the witness at our sealing.

I tried to find work in electronics since that is what I had been doing for 6 years in Navy, but IBM, Motorola, Honeywell were not hiring, so Jeff figured out a way to let me come to work for him as a laborer on his framing crew. You have to understand the times. I made $3.50/hr, Randy and Doyle Shumway made $5.00/hr, and Jeff (the crew boss and the one with the license) made only $7.50/hr. We could frame out a 900 to 1,000 square foot block house in 10 hours. Jeff always thought it was best if everyone knew each other’s job, so he spent extra time teaching each of us how to layout, build fur down, cut studs to proper length. I have always been grateful for those skills because they have come in handy over the years feeding my family.

I wanted to attend MCC at night and I asked you about work hours. It will be fine you said. We will get off at 1 -2 pm since we started at 5am, so I could go home, shower, study, and prepare for class. I can’t tell you how many times I showed up to class in my work clothes, because I don’t think we ever got off until before 5pm. I have never known a man that works harder than you. But at those wages, we made money by spending long hours at work. Now days, most carpenters don’t know how to swing a hammer, they use nail guns, and a crane to set trusses. Who needs a crane when you have 4 crazy guys on the job site. We would push up the gable end, which was already sided, to you. I think you were hanging from a sky hook. After we got it braced, Randy and Doyle would climb up and walk the outside walls carrying or dragging the trusses that I had handed up and you rode the center making sure they stayed on 2 foot centers. It was hard but very honest work.

Remember the time we took your old ’64 or ’65 Chevy truck to Queen Creek to get the left over potatoes from the digging machines. We loaded that truck and had it sitting on the axles. We couldn’t have eaten that many potatoes in a life time.

Debby and I were Summer Birds for several years while I was at Texas A&M. You always put me to work framing. One summer, Randy, Steve Wiltbank, and I went up to Snowflake to frame Jim Ballard’s house and we stayed over near Springerville in a cabin on land owned by Steve’s father. You had come up to visit make sure everything was going well, and you stayed in the cabin with and one night a mouse ran across the floor. What a sight! Randy jumped up on the bed and was throwing his boots at the mouse when he came out from behind something. You were jumping up and down trying to hit the mouse with your boot. I was laughing so hard just watching. These two grown men actually seemed afraid of a mouse. Later that night, Steve came over and we went spot-lighting elk. We spotted a group of bachelor bulls and you and Randy ran down in the meadow chasing the elk. What an oxymoron. They’ll chase an elk but run from a mouse.

When Debby and I came back from Texas in 1983, I started framing for you again, but this time I was the crew boss of your scouts and the young men in your ward. They were the best crew I have ever worked with. I always admired the way you provided ways for your young men to afford their Super Activities.  You even taught them to how to install tile roofing.  If they wanted and showed interest, you provided the means and encouragement for all of them to become Eagle Scouts.  It wasn’t just the kids. I don’t think any of the widows or elderly couples in your ward ever needed anything. They only had to call you and if you couldn’t do it, you would call in a marker on someone that owed you something to get the problem resolved. I have never known anyone that is more caring and concerned about the welfare of other than you. I can truly testify that this world would be a lot better off if there were more people like you Jeff. It has certainly been an honor for me to be associated with you and I would be more than willing to write your next resume. 

Love you, Jeff.

Bill Tindall