Art & Artillery

The Life and Times of Jefferson K Itami

Obituary in Brief

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Suzanne Hug

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Jefferson K Itami (April 1940 – March 2024) was a legendary man of many hats: Decorated Army Specialist during the Vietnam War ~  Deputy Sheriff Senior Crime Scene Investigator ~ Adjunct Professor at Salt Lake Community College ~ International Associate of Identification Officers International Representative ~ Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus ~ Japanese American Citizens League Board Member ~ Italian American Civic League Board Member ~ Cowboy Action Shooting Society member “Jack D Ryper” ~ University of Utah Alumni Ambassador ~ Artist & Calligrapher ~ Stage Actor ~ Jeff the Chef ~ World Traveler from South Africa to Norway and around the globe 

Jeff was generous with his adventures, and sent frequent letters to friends, family, and colleagues around the world, which were often entertaining, always informative, and eagerly anticipated. In fact, if you are reading this obituary, then you have likely been impacted by Jefferson, whether or not you know it!  His full list of accomplishments is entirely too much to be contained here. Please visit JeffItami.com to read more and add your own remembrance! 

A Funeral Mass will be held April 12th, 2024 at 1pm at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Salt Lake City. A livestream link will be available for those who cannot attend, but wish to watch.

He passed away peacefully after a short bout with cancer, with his loving daughter Suzanne Hug at his side early March 30th, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Linda K Itami, brother Ted (Lona) Itami, sister Yukiko Phelps, step-daughter Zoe Humphrey, six grandchildren; Adrienne (Sven) Fors, Lachlan (Erin) Murphy, Donovan Murphy, Calista Cunniff, Alexander Hug, William Jefferson Hug, and one great-grandchild Oliver Murphy, as well as beloved nieces, nephews, many cousins, and dear friends who were like family to him. 

10 responses to “Obituary in Brief”

  1. Joseph Lischka Avatar
    Joseph Lischka

    Jeff and I both helped run the telecom center at Coleman Army Airfield near Mannheim, Germany in 1963-64. We drove his little MG to Nurburgring to see the car race. I was lucky enough to visit him a few days before he passed away.

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  2. William Wayne Avatar
    William Wayne

    Jeff will truly be missed. I first met Jeff in the early 90s, I was a rookie Deputy. I had responded on a vehicle burglary where a car stereo had been pried out of a custom oak overhead console. The vehicle it was absolutely filthy. It was obvious there were no viable fingerprints, and the case would be inactive once the report was finished. The victim was upset with this fact, so he called a complained to my Captain. He directed me to return to the scene with a crime scene tech.

    I was lucky to get Jeff to respond. I advised him of the situation, he said he would be happy to help. Jeff dusted the he’ll out if the van. The oak console and door panel became a nice dirty black mess. And as expected, no viable prints were found. I was amazed with the mess that was left, the victim was thrilled with Jeff. We were there for almost another hour, as Jeff gave him suggestions on how to clean up the shrubs, and add lightning to prevent a burglary of his house.

    Jeff was truly my hero that day. God speed Jeff your absence here will be noticed

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  3. DrHC Boris Castillo Avatar
    DrHC Boris Castillo

    Mi dilecto amigo Jeff ,mi guía forense, aprendí mucho de Tus variados temas en conferencias impartidas a lo largo y ancho de América Central, fuistes El motivador e impulsor de la creación de la Central American Division. IAI. Un hombre humilde, creativo, espontaneo, sincero, con Mucha bondad,Un corazón noble, te recibimos con Mucha Alegría en los diferentes países que estuviste en esta región. Muchísimas gracias Don Jeff mi estimado, mi HERMANO, Un Abrazo fraterno hasta la Eternidad.

    (Translation by google)

    My dear friend Jeff, my forensic guide, I learned a lot from your varied topics in conferences given throughout Central America, you were the motivator and driving force behind the creation of the Central American Division. IAI. A humble, creative, spontaneous, sincere man, with a lot of kindness, a noble heart, we received you with a lot of joy in the different countries that you were in this region. Thank you very much Don Jeff my dear, my BROTHER, A fraternal hug until Eternity.

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  4. Javier Abedini Avatar
    Javier Abedini

    Desde la República Argentina, hago llegar mi profundo pesar por la pérdida del camarada policial y amigo Jeff. Una dolorosa pérdida. Que Dios te tenga a su lado. Mi más sentido pésame a su esposa Linda, a quien he conocido y a su familía.

    From the Argentine Republic, I extend my deep regret for the loss of police comrade and friend Jeff. A painful loss. May God have you by his side. My deepest condolences to his wife Linda, whom I have met, and his family.

    Javier Abedini

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  5. Lloyd Prescott Avatar
    Lloyd Prescott

    I worked with Jeff at the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office. I was actually his supervisor until he was transferred to the ID Unit. Now days, it is referred to as the Forensic Unit. Jeff responded to all kinds of dangerous crimes in progress and despite being small in stature, he never backed down and always peformed his task with professionalism and when called upon, courage. He worked hard, voluntered for deltails and in short was a real worker. I am proud to have known him and shared a small portion of my career with him.

    Lloyd Prescott

    lprescott4701@msn.com

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  6. Duane Jensen Avatar
    Duane Jensen

    I got to know Jeff early in my career at the Sheriff’s Office when I started out as a dispatcher. I worked with him in patrol and was very fortunate to have him respond as the on-duty ID tech on numerous calls over the years. He was always very thorough regardless of what type of call it was, and he always took the time to explain what & why he was doing. When I was an SRO, he came out to some of my high school law enforcement classes and gave presentations to my students. He was very informative and gave those presentations with his own special flare.

    Jeff worked for me briefly when I was supervising the Jail Transportation Unit. I knew he wasn’t too happy with that assignment, but he always did his job, never complained, and was never a problem.

    After he retired, I ran into him a few times at various functions. He was always great to talk to, share a story &/or joke, and always very upbeat and positive.

    Rest in peace, Jeff. Condolences to all your family.

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  7. Roberta Sweeney Avatar
    Roberta Sweeney

    My sympathies to the family and those of loved and knew Jeff. He was an open and accepting individual and had a unique sense of humor. I was always enjoyed sitting with him and Linda at the Basque dinners — my how did Jeff enjoy serving the soup! He was a fellow Ute supporter, too. Rest in peace, Jeff.

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  8. Thomas Hinton Avatar
    Thomas Hinton

    Jeff will be sorely missed. He and Linda were wonderful neighbors to us at 9th & 20th East during our two years in SLC. He was a trusted friend, a wonderful writer — I kept all his letters — and we would enjoy family visits when he and Linda, Zoe and Suzanne came to San Diego.
    Jeff was an activist. He always gave 100 percent to whatever cause or project he joined.
    we will miss his wit, his laughter, his loving nature, and most of all, his friendship.
    our deepest condolences to his lovely family.
    Tom & Jean Hinton, San Diego, CA

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  9. Todd Rasmussen - Granite Police Avatar
    Todd Rasmussen – Granite Police

    A quick-witted man he was. The first time we met, he shared things and then would laugh. I thought to myself I wished I’d caught all he said. I’m sure it was funny. I planned the next time he came to help me, I would pay closer attention to him and not so much to the task at hand. I knew I was in good hands and he had me covered. The second time and many afterward, I was ready. He had me laughing always. You were the best. Rest in peace, friend.

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  10. Renee Strand Avatar
    Renee Strand

    Jeff was my neighbor when I bought my first house. He was always so friendly and upbeat; such a cheerful man. He was so good with my children; making them laugh. I also knew Jeff through our connection at St. Ambrose church. He was a great man who will be missed by many people. Rest in peace, Jeff.

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