Blaine "Kyle" Downs

Blaine "Kyle" Downs, 93 longtime resident of Terreton, ID passed away peacefully on June 28, 2026, from causes incident to age.

Born December 10, 1932, at his grandmother's home in Orem, Utah, to Jesse Stephen and Mary Alta Collings Downs. He grew up and attended grade school in Lewisville, Idaho where he was the 8th grade Valedictorian. Kyle attended Hamer High School his freshman year. He was active in Future Farmers of America, where he won an award for judging cattle. This was the beginning of a lifetime love for cattle and horses. Kyle graduated from Roberts High School as Valedictorian, Class of 1951.

February 1953 he was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He served in Germany where he attended Radio School. There he learned Morris Code. He was a radio Morris Code operator. He was honorably discharged February 1955. He developed lifelong friends with which he maintained contact his entire life.

September 7, 1956, he married the love of his life and eternal companion Shirley Ann Zweifel at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Terreton, Idaho. A few months later their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls, Temple. For 67 years they shared a love and companionship that was unmatched, and a commitment to each other that simply never wavered.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He held various callings, including Elders Quorum Group Leader, twice as the Financial Clerk and served in a Hamer Bishopric. He and Shirley served as Initiatory ordinance workers in the Idaho Falls temple for eight years.

In 1958 he went to work for the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) at the Mud Lake office. Kyle was instrumental in surveying, planning and implanting many of the canals and ditches that watered the Hamer, Dubois, Monteview, Mud Lake and Terreton areas. Kyle retired in 1994 from the SCS with 36 years of service.

Kyle lived in the Hamer and Terreton area where he enjoyed farming, hunting, fishing, rodeo, cutter racing, raising cattle, horses, dogs, and children. Kyle worked hard and diligently all his life. Branding cattle day was one example of how he instilled that same work ethic into his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren.

He is survived by his seven children: B. Kevin (Cloeen) Downs of Firth, ID; Beverly Foster of Chandler, AZ; Becky (Gary) Bowden of Idaho Falls, ID; Timothy Downs of Idaho Falls, ID; Brenda (Jim) Weber of Idaho Falls; Kenneth (Stephanie) Downs of Idaho Falls, ID; Kimberly Downs of Boise, ID; sister, Clella (Bill) Steinke, 23 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother, and two sisters, 1 son-in-law, 1 great grandson.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Terreton Stake Center, 1297 E 1500 N, Terreton, ID. The family will visit with friends Friday July 10, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., also at the Stake Center, and again from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in the West Jefferson Memorial Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Alliance Home Health and Hospice and Fairwinds for their compassionate care and kindness.