James Leroy Hope

James LeRoy Hope, 94, passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at the Idaho Falls Community Hospital surrounded by loved ones.

LeRoy was born on September 9, 1928 in Burton, Idaho, to Clarence Dewey and Zella Keppner Hope. He graduated from Madison High School.

He married the love of his life, Maxine S. Weekes on October 15, 1947 in the Idaho Falls Temple. Together they raised six children, who brought LeRoy lots of joy.

LeRoy farmed with his father until 1956, when he started working at the INL and retired in 1988. He owned a bowling alley in Rexburg, which he loved.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. LeRoy served as the Sunday School Superintendent, Scout Leader and spent 25 years as a genealogy missionary.

LeRoy loved fishing, camping, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, being part of the Iona Posse, spending time with his grandkids, and being at Warm River and Yellowstone. He spent countless hours with his hiney on the bleachers watching his sons and grandsons doing rodeo and playing sports.

LeRoy is preceded in death by his sweetheart Maxine; parents Clarence and Zella; daughter-in-law Vicki Hope; two great-grandchildren Charlie and Chelsie Klein, three sisters: Rozella McHenry, Laura Huffaker, and Marie Huffaker; and four brothers: Lennis, Lauris, Darrel, Sylveris.

LeRoy is survived by his daughters: Myrna (Steve) Barnes of Boise, ID, Glenda (Jay) Martin of Rigby, ID, Gloria (Nate) Martin of Rigby, ID, and Marlene (Tom) Wilson of Idaho Falls, ID; sons Neal Hope of Iona, ID, and Shelby Hope of Boise, ID; sister Phyllis (Leon) Powell of Moore, ID; and brothers Lavere Hope of Idaho Falls, ID and Eldon Hope of Idaho Falls, ID. He has 16 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services for LeRoy will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ammon 8 ^th LDS Ward Building (2055 S Ammon Rd, Ammon ID 83406). Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m., and the night prior from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Eckersell Funeral Home (101 W. Main St Rigby, ID 83442). Interment will follow the funeral service at the Sutton Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com