Patricia Hunt Whitaker Jackman

Patricia Hunt Whitaker Jackman, age 87, passed away following a brief illness on January 9, 2026. Pat was born on December 13, 1938 in Pocatello, Idaho to Andrew George and Ruth Whitaker Hunt. She was welcomed by her brother Bob, who was 18 months old. Her younger brother, Randy, joined the family several years later and loved calling her Patsy. The family moved to the San Francisco Bay area where Pat’s father found employment. They returned to Pocatello a few years later to a 40-acre farm, where Patsy learned the value of hard work and endless daily chores. She loved reading in the pastures and haystacks and enjoyed spending time with the farm animals. When Pat was in the 7th grade, the family moved to Niles, CA, where Pat made lifelong friends, called “The Niles Girls.” Everywhere Pat went, she developed cherished friendships and accepted everyone for who they were, without judgement or comparison. She was easy to love and had an uncanny ability to connect with anyone—family, friends, neighbors, and even complete strangers.

Pat attended Brigham Young University and after returning to California, she was hired as the secretary to the manager of a bank in Niles. She had excellent skills in shorthand and typing and was a quick learner. Pat was blessed with the gift of words and was a talented writer and storyteller, always able to recall and share details of her life’s adventures to the very end.

She met Earl Whitaker, originally from Salt Lake City, when he was stationed as a soldier in California. They dated for several months and were married in 1962. Their first child, David, was born the following year, and their daughter, Krystyn, joined the family 15 months later. Pat continued to work for various banks and assisted with Earl’s assignments to help him earn his degree. Fifteen years later, when the marriage ended, Pat moved with her children to Danville, CA, which would become her home for the next 25 years.

During her time in Danville, a good friend set her up on a blind date with Stoney Wantland. They dated for six months and were married in 1985. Pat happily acquired three stepsons, Rodney, Steven and James (Jim) Wantland. She later adopted Stoney’s youngest son, Jim, and Jim was sealed to her in the temple. A few years into their marriage, Pat and Stoney were called to serve a mission with the Laotian Branch in Oakland. They came to love the Laotian families, especially the children, as they helped them with schoolwork, church talks, English, and every aspect of their lives. It was one of Pat’s greatest blessings to serve them for two years.

Through some challenging years, Pat was sustained by her faith in Jesus Christ and her unshakeable trust in God—a foundation that guided her through every season of life. Pat lived close to the Spirit and was never shy to act boldly on that precious inspiration. She was valiant in her testimony, and her faith and love had a deep impact on all who knew her.

In 1995, as her marriage to Stoney was ending, Pat was blessed with her dream job: secretary to the Oakland CA Temple President. She loved the six years she spent working in the temple with spiritual giants who trusted and relied on her. For Pat, being in the temple was pure joy.

In 2001, Pat became reacquainted with Jerry Jackman, a widower who had served as her bishop in the 1960s when she lived in Fremont. After a short courtship, they were married in the Bountiful UT Temple, and Jerry became the eternal companion Pat had been waiting for. They spent 20 cherished years together, traveling and enjoying friendships that spanned decades. They served in the New York, Hill Cumorah Mission and met many wonderful couples as they served together. Pat also embraced Jerry’s five children with their spouses and families, treating them as her own. In May 2020, after a long illness during which Pat cared for him faithfully and lovingly, Jerry passed away. We rejoice when we think of the glorious reunion that surely took place between Pat and her sweetheart when she joined him on January 9th.

Pat leaves behind a legacy of love and unwavering generosity that touched the hearts of all who knew her. She had a depth of kindness that was truly extraordinary and lived a life marked by resilience, creativity, compassion, and quiet goodness. Pat will be remembered for her gentle strength and deep devotion to her family, Jerry, and the Lord. She will be deeply missed and forever loved, and both her children and her grandchildren rise up and call her blessed for the legacy and example she left for them.

Pat was preceded in death by her loving husband Jerry, her parents, Ruth and Andy Hunt, her brother Bob, Jerry’s siblings and their spouses, and one grandson: Evan Jackman. She is survived by her children, David (Anne) Whitaker, Salt Lake City, UT; Krystyn (Dennis) Durfee, Rathdrum, ID; and Jim (Candice) Wantland, Farmington, UT; 18 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and her brother Randy (Bonnie) Hunt, Farmington, UT. In addition, she is survived by her Jackman children, Reid (Doris) Jackman, Salem, OR; Terrie (Jeff) Hart, Salem, OR; Guy (Sara) Jackman, Orangevale, CA; Scott (Nora) Jackman, North Ogden, UT, and Lance Jackman, Novato, CA; 14 Jackman grandchildren and 31 Jackman great-grandchildren. Pat’s beloved dog Knute preceded her in death and she is survived by her trusted condo companion dog, Tucker.

She was also adored by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 Wasatch Drive in Salt Lake City. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at the Memorial Mortuaries & Cemeteries, 4900 S. Memory Lane, Holladay UT, at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

In Pat’s honor, drink a Shasta Orange Soda or eat a Peanut Cluster or a See’s Milk Chocolate with a cream center!