Doyle Leroy Lufkin

Obituary for Doyle LeRoy Lufkin Doyle LeRoy Lufkin, 87, passed away of causes incident to age at his home in Annis, Idaho, on Sunday, January 28, 2018 in the company of his family. Doyle was born December 12, 1930, in Rigby, Idaho, to George LeRoy Lufkin and Alice Alzina Goody Lufkin at the home of his Grandmother, Alice Goody. He was raised on the family farm in Annis. At the age of 5 he entered the first grade in the Annis Elementary School where he went through the 8th grade. He then entered Midway High School, graduating when he was 17 in 1948.   As a young boy he learned the value of hard work and was given a great deal of responsibility by his parents. He became masterful at handling a heavy team of horses hitched to a wagon or farm equipment. When 10 years old he walked away with top honors in quality, showing and fitting awards for teams over 2700 pounds at the Rigby Pioneer Days celebration. He stole the show as he drew applause from over a thousand spectators. He never lost his love for a team. He and his sister, LaPreal, who is 4 years younger than him, worked side by side in many farm responsibilities as they were growing up and enjoyed activities with a vast number of cousins from both sides of their Mother’s and Father’s families. They have always shared a special bond as brother and sister. Work on the farm included running the derrick horse to gather hay, picking potatoes, shocking grain, thinning and harvesting sugar beets. In addition, the family raised chickens, dairy and beef cattle. As a High School Junior in 1947 he borrowed enough money to purchase 12 steers for the Idaho Fat Stock Show. He came out the Champion Exhibitor at the show. He was an enterprising young man, using the money from the sale of these cattle to purchase 20 acres of land near the existing family farm. The Lufkin family belonged to the West Palisades Cattle Association. Doyle grew up taking a man’s part in the spring and fall cattle drives. He loved the fall roundup. In the evenings after a hard day’s ride on the mountain, all the cowboys would gather at the Association Corral. Doyle fondly recalled the cowboy stories and jokes that were played on one another from this bygone era. He was an excellent horseman and rider with a lifetime full of experience. This is an inherited trait that he passed on to his sons, Myron, Terrill, Carl and many of his grandchildren. He valued a hard day’s work, a good horse, the open range and his family. In the fall of 1950 his father died in a tragic farm accident, leaving him to assist his mother in running the farm and cattle at the age of 19. He and his mother formed a strong partnership, working together until her death 1994. On June 23, 1950, Doyle married Carma Kaye Dustin in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. He and Carma have dedicated their lives to their five children and extended family, instilling the value of hard work and fairness through their principles. They have shared a special love for the outdoors and their property and home at their Big Rock Ranch on the banks of the Southfork above Heise where many friends and relatives have often found warm and inviting hospitality. In the past few years, Doyle had to slow down due to health issues, but he was still interested and involved to the extent possible in the daily activities with the cattle and farm which is now operated by his grandson. He has often lamented over the fact that he could no longer do the work that he used to do. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he served in the Sunday School, was Ward Clerk and a Home Teacher. He has served on the Jefferson Soil Conservation Committee, Jefferson County Posse, and Annis Little Butte Cemetery Board. He was a wonderful neighbor and friend to all who knew him and will be truly missed. Doyle is survived by his loving wife Carma Kaye Dustin Lufkin, his five children and their spouses; Connie Claire Briggs (Brent), Myron L. Lufkin (Sherry), both of Annis, Terrill Roy Lufkin (Jill), of Menan, Carl James Lufkin (Robin), of Salmon, and Judy Lou Eckman, (Gary) of Rigby, 23 Grandchildren, 48 Great Grandchildren, his sister LaPreal Lufkin Hinckley and her family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law Guy W. Hinckley, and a grandson, McCrae Lufkin. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 3, 2018, at 11 a.m., at the Menan LDS Stake Center, 698 North 3600 East, Menan, Idaho, with Bishop Troy Thompson officiating. The family will meet with friends Friday evening February 2, 2018, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and on Saturday, prior to services from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., both at the Menan LDS Stake Center.  A private burial will occur at a later date at the Chokecherry Cemetery on the Family’s Big Rock Ranch. Services are under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com