JEFFREY DALE PARKINSON May 22, 1963 – May 16, 2026

Jeffrey Dale Parkinson, 62, passed away from heart failure on May 16, 2026, in Neiva, Huila, Colombia.  He was born on May 22, 1963, in Los Alamos, New Mexico, to Joseph Lynn and Bonnie Joy Parkinson.

Growing up in Los Alamos, Jeff developed a lifelong passion for the outdoors. He spent countless hours backpacking, hunting, and fishing, creating cherished memories with his father and brothers. A proud Hilltopper, he graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1981.

Jeff went on to pursue higher education, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Information Services from Brigham Young University and later a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from San Diego State University. In the 1980s, Jeff served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Colombia. This experience sparked a profound, lifelong love for the Colombian people, their culture, and the Spanish language. He turned this fluency into a purposeful career, working for many years as a dedicated paralegal providing vital legal services to Spanish-speaking immigrants in the United States.

An exceptional athlete and lifelong fitness enthusiast, Jeff spent decades staying active in the gym, riding bicycles, and playing sports. His greatest athletic passion was volleyball; during his college years, he played competitively on the BYU club team while also developing a deep love for beach volleyball.

Above all, Jeff was an incredibly proud father to his daughter, Reili Joy. He took immense joy in watching her grow and loved nothing more than sharing her accomplishments and milestones with his family.

In recent years, Jeff’s enduring love for Colombia brought him back to the country, where he met and married his beloved wife, Teresa Marin, with whom he shared the final years of his life.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Lynn and Bonnie Joy Parkinson.

He is survived by his wife, Teresa Marin and step-daughter Isa of Colombia; his daughter, Reili Joy; his sister, Bonnie Lynne (Roger); and his brothers, Bruce Dean (Maggie), Scott Deray (Julie), and Thomas DeVon (Jenny). He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the many individuals whose lives he touched through his service and friendship.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1967 18th St. in Los Alamos.