John Raymond Wilson

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John Raymond Wilson passed away at his home in Ririe, Idaho, on April 8, 2024.

He was born November 6, 1939, to Edward James and Juanda Pollock Wilson in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

He attended Clark County schools, graduating from Clark County High School in Dubois, Idaho.

He lived at Lidy Hot Spring’s, just due west of Dubois, helping with the swim pool and dance hall.

He was then drafted into the Army on September 25, 1963, and served as a Dozer Operator in an Engineer Company at Fort Wolter’s. There, through a friend (Leroy Smikel) he met his future wife Doddie Lou Fennen in Humble, Texas.

On September 24, 1965, dad was discharged from active service, 1 hour later, Dot and him were married in Mineral Wells, Texas.  Dot was accompanied by a little 2-year-old named Robert. Through this union the family grew with the addition of Tammy Ann, and then Nikki Sue.  The family lived in places like Lidy Hot Springs, Houston, Texas, and finally setting roots at Lone Pine in 1972.

Dad had many trades throughout his life. He was a miner in the Lemhi Mountains, farming in the sands of Hamer, logged timber in Kilgore, and built houses in Texas.  Metal buildings were built with Hal Robert’s, blasting holes were drilled and shot with his nephew’s, fire wood was blocked and shipped to Ogden, and Masonry Stone sent to Sun Valley.  John worked with his son Robert for several years cutting all the re-enforcement bar and wire, there was very little waste as 300-foot rolls of mesh were utilized down to the last foot.

Dad enjoyed hunting deer and elk. He loved fly fishing at Birch Creek and Medicine Lodge, even if the weather was miserable cold and pouring rain, there was a fish to be caught.  Dad had a passion with working with wood and masonry. He devised ways to make small wishing wells for flowers to bigger wells for the front yard. Chances are if you see one out there, he made it.  Another talent dad had was he never needed a $5000 set of prints to build things or a house, a 30-cent notepad was adequate.

Grandpa dearly loved his grand-daughter’s, Storme, Samantha, and Anastasia. He was also grateful for the opportunity to be in his great-grandchildren’s lives, Oakley John, Carmyn Sue, and Ali Rue. The sun could not shine brighter than you three in his eyes.

Dad had many friends throughout the Clark and Jefferson Counties. Such as Ernie Sill and family to Hal Robert’s family. Some as far away as Texas in Don Kent, Leroy Smikel families. Then too Ogden and Grant Harris, founder of Harristone Products, and a Fantastic Italian by the name of Gus Collini.

Dad was preceded in death by his wife Doddie Lou, his parents, 3 brothers, a 4th baby boy who God kept for himself, 2 nieces, and 2 nephews’.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Eckersell Memorial Chapel (101 W. Main Rigby, Id 8342) at 11:00 a.m.  The family will visit with friends prior to the service from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.  Burial will be in the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery.  Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com.