I served in the US Army from 1978 to 1984, with three years of active duty and three years in inactive reserve. My Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was 95B10, Military Police. I achieved the rank of E-4 within my first year and a half. My duty stations included Fort Carson, Camp Market in Inciong, Korea, and I finished my time served from Fort Campbell, KY, with the 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles).
My favorite duty assignment was serving as a game warden at Fort Carson. While stationed in Korea, I had the fortunate opportunity to escort PX trucks to every military installation across the country, allowing me to see the entire peninsula.
After my military service, I moved to Texas and worked in the oil fields. Later, I married and started a family. I then transitioned to sales, which I found much more fulfilling as it allowed me to help people meet their needs. My most rewarding role was with the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), where I sold health insurance to small business owners and the self-employed.
After a year and a half, I was promoted to District Manager, running my own office and sales team covering all of central Missouri. It was very satisfying to assist small business owners with the significant challenge of obtaining affordable and reliable group healthcare plans.
I am currently married to my soulmate. I have three children: two sons and a daughter and my wife also has three children: two sons and a daughter. Together, we have been blessed with 13 beautiful grandchildren.
I was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2004 and recovered. Unfortunately, it recurred ten years later in 2015, leading to the removal of my right kidney. At that time, my left kidney was functioning at 80%, and I felt well for a few years. In 2018, after meeting my wife and soulmate, she encouraged me to get a check-up, as I hadn’t had one in several years.
Life was good, and I was thoroughly enjoying retirement. However, during that first doctor’s appointment, we discovered that my left kidney was functioning at only 30%, and I was in Stage 4 kidney failure. A year later, in September 2019, I had to start dialysis, which I have been undergoing four times a week for nearly seven years now.
My favorite hobby is gold mining, which I haven’t been able to pursue since starting dialysis due to the extended camping trips in remote areas that it requires. I truly miss being in the woods and by the river.
For medically cleared donors, giving the gift of life through living kidney donation has been proven to be very safe. DOVE will assist all prospective donors throughout the process and make sure they do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the evaluation or surgery. A healthy person can live a normal life with one kidney and save Jeff’s life with the other!
Your support, whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, can make a profound impact on his life and the life of his family!
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-1611