Arden Joel Jeffries was born December 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. He graduated from Lennox High School in 1960 where he wrestled, played tuba and the string bass, and where he began his adventure as an avid thespian. Arden was not a joiner, but served in Vietnam for the US Navy, completing his service aboard the USS Cavalier (APA-37), for three years, three months, and twenty-seven days.
Arden played several impervious 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 January 5, 2024 after a plethora of health issues in his final years. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Allen, Milton, Stephen, and his twin sister Annette. He is survived by a son, Joshua (Denise) Jeffries of Moxee, Washington and 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 later. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to a charity of your choice.
