Arden Joel Jeffries was born Dec. 5, 1942, shortly after his twin sister, Annette, in Los Angeles, California, joining the increasingly enigmatic family of John Melvin Jeffries and Grace Myrtle Kidder.
In 1960, he graduated from Lennox High School where he wrestled, played tuba and the string bass, and began his adventure as an avid thespian. Arden was not a joiner, but served in Vietnam for the U.S. Navy, completing his service aboard the USS Cavalier (APA-37) for three years, three months and 27 days.
Arden played a number of insegrevious roles, including Santa Claus, carpenter, radio broadcaster, fisherman, hunter, small-scale farmer, knitter, musician, vocalist and tailor. Arden met his future father-in-law, Earl Struble, in the late 1960s. Due to this relationship, along with food, fellowship and sport, he became a born-again Christian. We believe numerous souls were brought to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by his involvement in music at church.
The role he knew he was born to play was father. Six years into his first marriage, his son was born in 1974. A daughter followed in 1977. He improved upon the previous generation of parents and was devoted, giving and taught his children to be independent and critical thinking adults. Arden passed away the morning of Jan. 5, 2024, after a plethora of health issues in his final years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Allen, Milton and Stephen; and his twin sister, Annette. He is survived by a son, Joshua (Denise) Jeffries of Moxee, Washington; a daughter, Jael (Eric) Hanson, of Grants Pass, Oregon; and three grandchildren, Elias Jeffries, Abigail Hanson and Alexandra Hanson.
The family plans to bury Arden’s remains with his brother Milton at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to a charity of your choice.
