Jeff Winder
15-year Grantsville resident and father of five, Jeff Winder, is no stranger to rural, country living. Growing up as a farm boy in Santa Clara, Utah, Jeff learned to work hard and play hard on both their family farm and on the local church-owned farm with his Grandfather. He fondly recalls the days of his youth—not only pumping out plenty of hard, manual labor but also the more playful times of learning to drive farm equipment, motorcycles, and four wheelers at a very young age.
Those early years on the farm shaped Jeff into the hard-working, adventurous, and big-hearted husband, father, and friend he is today. It was only natural that he and wife, Rebecca, would choose small town, family-friendly Grantsville City to call home.
Rebecca feels like she “won the jackpot” when she met and began dating Jeff back in 2012. “Jeff is the kind of husband you hope your daughter, sister, or best friend will marry,” she says, describing Jeff as always respectful, loving and ever helpful—working two jobs to make ends meet in addition to frequently helping with the cooking and cleaning at home.
Jeff is also a devoted father to his five children: Natalia, age 15; Kanyon, age 13; Kahlia, age 8; Tayia, age 7; and Zuri, age 5. He loves attending their basketball games and dance recitals, enjoys doing the little things like reading them bedtime stories, and especially cherishes sharing with them his passions of fishing, camping, and of course, motorcycles.
Those who know Jeff know that he is the kind of truly good man that would do anything for anyone – even give them the very shirt off his back if they needed it. Perhaps Jeff’s easy going, unselfish and outward-looking personality is part of what has helped him to make it through the difficult battle that began on December 14, 2018.
That was the day his family heard words nobody ever wants or expects to hear: “Your husband and father has stage 4 colon cancer and it has spread to his lymph system and lungs.” These earth-shattering words came after months of unexplained symptoms and questions and several false diagnoses.
However, after multiple MRIs, CT scans, and a colonoscopy, the unthinkable truth emerged, along with the news that he was not eligible for surgery and would require biweekly chemotherapy treatments for the rest of his life.
Since that day Jeff’s cancer has been a very open subject in the Winder home. The kids continue to struggle with the reality of their father’s situation, but they have accepted that although their dad may not be around to see their own kids grow up and may not always be there to help them physically, they are confident that they will never cease to be in their father’s care—he will always be watching over them.
Jeff says that if cancer, albeit a cruel tutor, has taught him one thing, it has been to open his eyes to the incredible impact that one person can have on the lives of so many others. He has heard from incredible friends both near and far since his diagnosis and has been amazed at the care and concern so many have shown their family. Although he admits no one is perfect and that we all make mistakes, he believes that when we simply try to do good and treat others with love and respect, our impact for good can be so much more far-reaching that we know.
Although Jeff’s future remains uncertain, and his present consists of unusually large doses of pain and fatigue, Jeff is grateful for every day he gets to spend with his family. He finds hope in Jesus Christ and comfort in knowing he will be with his family again after this life. Indeed, he knows that the joy they share as family is really only just beginning.
Those early years on the farm shaped Jeff into the hard-working, adventurous, and big-hearted husband, father, and friend he is today. It was only natural that he and wife, Rebecca, would choose small town, family-friendly Grantsville City to call home.
Rebecca feels like she “won the jackpot” when she met and began dating Jeff back in 2012. “Jeff is the kind of husband you hope your daughter, sister, or best friend will marry,” she says, describing Jeff as always respectful, loving and ever helpful—working two jobs to make ends meet in addition to frequently helping with the cooking and cleaning at home.
Jeff is also a devoted father to his five children: Natalia, age 15; Kanyon, age 13; Kahlia, age 8; Tayia, age 7; and Zuri, age 5. He loves attending their basketball games and dance recitals, enjoys doing the little things like reading them bedtime stories, and especially cherishes sharing with them his passions of fishing, camping, and of course, motorcycles.
Those who know Jeff know that he is the kind of truly good man that would do anything for anyone – even give them the very shirt off his back if they needed it. Perhaps Jeff’s easy going, unselfish and outward-looking personality is part of what has helped him to make it through the difficult battle that began on December 14, 2018.
That was the day his family heard words nobody ever wants or expects to hear: “Your husband and father has stage 4 colon cancer and it has spread to his lymph system and lungs.” These earth-shattering words came after months of unexplained symptoms and questions and several false diagnoses.
However, after multiple MRIs, CT scans, and a colonoscopy, the unthinkable truth emerged, along with the news that he was not eligible for surgery and would require biweekly chemotherapy treatments for the rest of his life.
Since that day Jeff’s cancer has been a very open subject in the Winder home. The kids continue to struggle with the reality of their father’s situation, but they have accepted that although their dad may not be around to see their own kids grow up and may not always be there to help them physically, they are confident that they will never cease to be in their father’s care—he will always be watching over them.
Jeff says that if cancer, albeit a cruel tutor, has taught him one thing, it has been to open his eyes to the incredible impact that one person can have on the lives of so many others. He has heard from incredible friends both near and far since his diagnosis and has been amazed at the care and concern so many have shown their family. Although he admits no one is perfect and that we all make mistakes, he believes that when we simply try to do good and treat others with love and respect, our impact for good can be so much more far-reaching that we know.
Although Jeff’s future remains uncertain, and his present consists of unusually large doses of pain and fatigue, Jeff is grateful for every day he gets to spend with his family. He finds hope in Jesus Christ and comfort in knowing he will be with his family again after this life. Indeed, he knows that the joy they share as family is really only just beginning.
