Jay Marchant

Ira “Jay” Marchant, 85, passed away on January 2, 2015, at Teton Post Acute Care in Idaho Falls. Jay was born on September 30, 1929, in Grant, Idaho. He was the oldest child of Vernal and Severn Eda Hix Marchant. He attended schools in Grant and Midway graduating from Midway High School in 1947. While in high school, he was an outstanding athlete lettering in four sports. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He married LaRue Beck on March 24, 1950, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They started their life together in Salt Lake City, Utah, until Jay decided it was time to come home. They moved back to Grant in 1952 at which time they purchased the home in which they still live. During this time, they were blessed with two sons. Jay owned and operated Marchant’s “66” Service Station on 3rd and Holmes in Idaho Falls from 1955 until 1977. The boys, along with their mother, spent many summer days at the station helping Jay and providing service to the community. Jay valued the time he was able to spend with his family. They also enjoyed fishing, camping, and snowmobiling together. In 1977, Jay sold the station and went to work at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant as an Industrial Hygienist, a job which he held until 1992 when he retired. Shortly after Jay’s retirement, the family was blessed with their only grandchild. Nathan was the light of his grandfather’s life. Due to his retirement, Jay was able to spend a lot of quality time with Nathan doing the things they loved, such as camping and golfing at Heise, fishing, and shooting. Jay was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings, including Sunday School Superintendent, counselor in the Bishopric, and on the Menan/Roberts Stake High Council for many years. In the role of high counselor, he was over all Sport and Young Adult Activities in the stake. Jay is survived by his wife of 64 years, LaRue B. Marchant, of Grant, Idaho; two sons, Norman Marchant and Mark Marchant, of Idaho Falls, Idaho; a grandson, Nathan Marchant, of Idaho Falls, Idaho; two sisters, Polly Mortell, of Idaho Falls, Idaho and Deanna Luton, of Jackson, Wyoming; a brother Gene (Trish) Marchant, of Kennewick, Washington and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father and mother and a sister, Vina Madsen. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 7, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at the Grant LDS Church (3431 E. 100 N.) with Bishop Grover Wray conducting. The family will visit with friends at the Grant Church on Tuesday, January 6, 2015, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Burial will be in the Grant Central Cemetery under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.