Clinton (HUGH) Jenks was born December 16, 1943 in Coeur d’ Alene, ID, to Stan and Selma Jenks. They later moved to Helena when Hugh was in the 7th grade. Hugh passed away on July 26, 2021, at his home in Helena. He was proceeded in death by his grandparents, parents, brother Loren, sister Jean, son Daniel, and grandson Derik. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Vicki, son Darrell Schenk of Columbia Falls, daughter Debbie (Bob) Austin of Helena, son Waid Jenks (Karanel) of Helena, son Darrin Schenk of New Orleans, LA, daughter Michelle (Richard) Borne of Bay St. Louis, MS, 11 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Hugh was a man of many talents and put them to great use throughout his life. He spent the greater part of his working career in the construction business and built many commercial buildings and houses in Helena and throughout Montana. He was very proud of his work. He stayed with Sharbono Construction for almost 30 years, then a few years with Schlenker and McKittrick Architects, and then retired from the State of Montana Department of Military Affairs.
Hugh’s life was also full of many recreational hobbies from motorcycle racing, snow skiing, water skiing, snowmobiling, team roping in which he was proud that he won a trophy saddle and many other prizes, riding in numerous parades with the pack string with his great friend Jeff, packing with mules and horses in the backcountry, and breaking and training colts. With extreme dedication, Hugh lost 40 pounds so we could take the mule ride down into the Grand Canyon so he and Vicki could check that off of their bucket list. When he finally retired in 2006 and made a move to AZ for winters (which shocked everyone) he took up ATV riding with close to 30 thousand miles between AZ, UT, NV, and Montana which required him to become a very proficient GPS guru. He also enjoyed amateur pistol competition and belonged to a couple pistol clubs. Hugh truly loved all his hobbies and always gave each and every one his all.
Hugh was a man with extreme pride and impeccable integrity with quite a bit of perfectionism thrown in. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.
A Celebration of Life will be held for all Hugh’s friends and family on August 14, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Helena Valley Community Center, 3553 Tizer Road, Helena, MT.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday August 14, 2021
Helena Valley Community Center
3553 Tizer Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday August 14, 2021
Helena Valley Community Center
3553 Tizer Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Thomas Juhl says
Worked with Hewy on a lot of Sharbono’s jobs and while he was at the Fort, a strong willed person who will be missed……R.I.P. Mr. Jenkins……..
John & Cherie Dahl says
Hugh was a High School classmate and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family 🙏
Allan Stricker says
We have lost a truly amazing talent in the field of construction. Hugh had knowledge and insight which he willingly shared. If there was a building problem, whether during construction or even much later with a completed building, Hugh was the guy to figure out how to fix it and run the crew during the fix. His pictures of retirement rides down in the Arizona/Utah area were gratifying in knowing that he was one of the few of us who was really enjoying retirement.
Bill Ranard says
Very sorry to hear of Hewy’s passing, as I called him when we were classmates. He was a close friend, living just two blocks from us. We stayed in touch for awhile, although I moved from Helena at 22. Early on I’d look him up for coffee when I would get back home. I’m sure Hugh will leave a big hole in the lives of those he touched.
Bill moore says
Met Hugh & Vicki when I joined the pistol club in
Mesquite , enjoyed visiting with him, he was a great leather worker and good shot ,& a real cowboy
Dan wayland says
Sorry to hear thoughts are with you vicki and family
Patt Jenks says
Am so sorry to hear of the passing of my brother-i-law Hugh. So many memories, met him when he was 14 years old. Rest in peace. Patt
Freddi Haab-Fiedler says
Vicki-Sorry to of Hugh’s passing. He was a wonderful guy and will be missed. You and your family are in my prayers and thoughts.
Rick Schlenker says
My sincere sympathy to you Vicki, your family, and his many, many friends, which was just about anyone who knew Hugh. I met Hugh over 35 years ago when he was a supt. with Sharbano Constr., and we worked together on so many construction projects after that; having Hugh on the project meant a quality product. To me he was a friend, a mentor, an associate, and a go to person in construction and in life. The world is a smaller place without you, rest in peace Hugh.
Wref Balsam says
Vicki, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It was an honor and privilege working beside Hugh and getting to know you both over the years. I have shared many fond and humorous stories with my kids about working with Hughy. I always loved hearing his lively adventures on our many road trips to Kalispell. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Scott Olsen says
I always enjoyed roping with Hugh at the Roundup Ropings and working with him on projects at the fort. I had a lot of respect for Hugh and his knowledge in the construction industry. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the loss of Hugh. God Bless.
John Nettle says
Hugh was the man to know for advice in shooting, reloading and handguns. He was a fine pistol shooter. He will be missed at the Mesquite Pistol Shooters. A pleasure to have know him.
Tom Wester says
I just discovered the sad news off the passing of my friend Hugh. He was a great friend of mine during our mutual time at Sharbono. He taught me a lot and I would like to think that it was mutual to some extent. He was a very stand up person. A very honorable person.
Tom Wester says
Hugh and I morphed the residential construction schedule for single family residence to less than 36 calendar days. More Hugh than me, BUT we were partners. He had amazing talents.
Lynn Worsech says
Vicki and family so sorry to hear of Hugh’s passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayets.
Don Ezola says
What an incredible man that I’m so glad I had in my life. I will miss his laugh and the rides chasing dust in the side by sides. The fun times sitting around shooting the bull. He was so proud of his pack string. I would’ve loved seeing it but from all the pictures and stories I could describe it to a T. lol My heart felt sympathies to Vicky and the family for our loss.
Tony Perpignano says
I was lucky to know Hugh when I was a young architect. He was an insperation and someone to look up to and respect. The construction industry needs more people like Hugh today, Now more then ever.