Jacob Kim Rinderknecht

Jacob "Jake" Kim Rinderknecht, beloved husband, father, son, and brother, passed away unexpectedly on February 9, 2024, at the age of 40, at his home in Vernal, Utah. Jake was born to Kim and Annette Rinderknect on February 18, 1983, in Logan, Utah. He was the fourth of six children and the first son. The family moved to Vernal when Jake was 9 years old. He graduated from Uintah High School in 2001. As a kid, Jake loved and naturally excelled at sports. He played basketball and baseball when he was younger, and became a masterful tennis player in high school. He also earned his Eagle Scout when he was 14. Jake married Kassi Richins in 2002. They were blessed with a son, Daysen Kim Rinderknect in 2006. They later divorced. Jake met the love of his life, Megan Searle, in April of 2010. They were married June 11, 2011. After many years of trying and heartache, they were finally blessed with a son, Bridger Jacob Rinderknecht in 2020. Jake loved being a dad. He loved Daysen and Bridger with all his heart and enjoyed spending time with them, sharing his love for fishing and hunting with them, cheering Daysen on at football and wrestling, and encouraging Bridger's love of monster trucks, cars, dinosaurs, and Paw Patrol. Jake found solace and joy in the great outdoors. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and camper. He loved to go solo backpacking into the High Uintas and said that is where he felt the most at peace. Jake's passion for fly fishing extended beyond the water as he loved to tie flies for himself and his dad. He had a natural talent for it, and his flies were intricate and beautiful. When he wasn't hunting or fishing, Jake worked for the Utah Department of Transportation as the Transportation Tech 3 Lead for the Vernal area. He spent countless hours in his plow truck, and his favorite thing to do was to run the giant snowblower. He truly enjoyed his work and he loved his work family. Everyone who met Jake loved him. He will be greatly missed by so many. Jake's family would like to thank the countless friends, family members, and even strangers, who have reached out to offer their condolences. Jake is survived by his wife, Megan Rinderknecht; sons, Daysen and Bridger Rinderknecht; parents, Kim and Annette Rinderknecht; siblings, Amy Israelsen, Angela (Mike) McCurdy, Amberly (Derrick) Jaramillo, Chanse (Rachel) Rinderknecht, and Andrea (Tyler) Jacobs; grandma, DeAnn Chambers; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Joseph and Vada Rinderknecht, and Garth Chambers; brother-in-law Matt Simper; and cousins, Justin Hansen and Rusty Rinderknecht. Funeral services for Jake will be held Thursday February 15, 2024 at 12:00pm at the Uintah Conference Center. Visitation for family and friends will be Wednesday February 14, from 6:00pm ~ 8:00pm at the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home and Thursday 10:00am ~ 11:45am at the Uintah Conference Center. Interment in the Rockpoint Cemetery under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home.