Kenneth Ray Spahr 6 July1936 - 19 April 2024 Kenneth Ray Spahr was born 6 July 1936 to Frank E. and Wynona Jarrell Spahr in Pocatello, Idaho. He was the fourth of seven children. An older brother, Gerald, a younger brother, Robert, and his only sister, Sandra, died in infancy, so he grew up with two older brothers, Glen, and Keith/Max, and one younger brother, Dick. Ken grew up in Pocatello, Idaho, with several neighborhood friends, including Dave Horrocks. He and his friends shared many adventures and exploits, including “hooky bobbing” on the back of cars in the winter. He attended public schools in Pocatello, graduating from Pocatello High School in 1954. He was active in sports, including football, track, and fast-pitch softball. He lettered four years in football and was a co-captain of the team with friends Bob Mulick, Paul Smith, and Dick Webb. His softball teams won tournaments and he told stories of traveling to different out-of-town games. Ken was a lifelong, faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a mission to the Swiss-Austrian Mission in 1958-1960, which he considered one of the two most important decisions of his life. His brother, Dick also served in the same mission during the same time period. Ken served mostly in Austria, with some time serving in the Swiss Temple, while Dick served mostly in Switzerland; they happily met up at a mission conference at least once during their mission service. He served only 24 months of the 30-month call due to being sent home with bleeding ulcers. He considers the “Dear John” letter he received during his mission one of the most life-changing events he experienced. After his mission, he attended Idaho State College in Pocatello. While attending an Institute of Religion activity, he caught sight of a beautiful smile he had dreamed of after receiving his “Dear John” letter. This smile belonged to Patricia Louise Johns, and he was certain she was going to be his wife. Despite climbing out of the window of the former Institute building at ISC (which is currently a dental hygiene building on Idaho State’s campus) to avoid him, Pat finally relented and accepted his marriage proposal. The other decision he called the most important of his life occurred when Ken and Pat were married and sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on 24 August 1961. Ken and Pat resided in Pocatello, working and attending Idaho State University, where they welcomed two daughters: Kaelyn in 1964, and Trisha in 1967. After career moves took them to Medford, Oregon, and Salt Lake City, Utah, they ended up in Twin Falls, Idaho. While living in Twin Falls, Pat thought she had developed an ulcer, but it turned out to be their third daughter, Stacie, born in 1970. Due to Ken’s insistence that the baby could NOT be born at home, Stacie arrived three-and-a-half blocks from home in the front seat of the station wagon Pat had earned selling Tupperware. Pat’s mother, who was in the back seat, caught Stacie and held on to her as Ken drove to the hospital, where he overshot the emergency entrance and drove to the garbage pick-up area. Apparently, the excitement of the situation caused Ken to come down with laryngitis. At the end of 1971, the family moved to Kimberly, Idaho, where many friends and happy memories were made. He continued to play church softball on the men’s Forty Plus team and enjoyed bowling on teams from work. In 1980, Ken began working in Boise, going home to the family in Kimberly on the weekends. Pat and the girls joined Ken in Boise in July 1982. Ken worked for the US Postal Service in Idaho, Oregon, and Utah, sold shoes at Sears and JC Penney, and worked as a manager in transportation for Pacific Intermountain Express trucking company in Twin Falls, Idaho, as well as for the Tupperware manufacturing company that was located in Jerome, Idaho. He began working as a rate clerk for Consolidated Freightways in Boise, Idaho, in 1980. He enjoyed time with his rate center buddies Lowell Tueller, Eli Krommenhoek, Mel Wilkes, and JD Driebergen. Ken could, and would, talk to anyone, and made friends easily. He loved watching football, sometimes with his friend, Allen Knowles. He cheered for Boise State, except when they played Idaho State. Growl, Bengals, Growl! Ken loved dressing in costumes for Halloween and won several contests at work for the best costume. He even dressed as a pirate, complete with eyepatch and parrot, for his granddaughter, Catherine, so he could bring home free donuts from Krispy Kreme. The Peanuts comic strip was a favorite, particularly Snoopy as the World War I Flying Ace who fought off the Red Baron; Ken even had an old flight cap and scarf to wear as a costume. He enjoyed decorating for holidays and was always adding to the collection. Although he sometimes messed up the punchline, he loved jokes and loved to laugh and play with his children and grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Throughout his life, Ken worked hard and helped countless people. He called himself a “Jack of all trades, master of none.” He was kind and generous, always willing to lend a helping hand. He was a devoted home teacher and loved being able to serve in many capacities. He was a Stake Clerk in Kimberly, even while living in Boise and returning on the weekends to serve and see his family. He loved serving in the Boise Temple and the Family History (Family Search) center in his later years. Ken loved his family. His wife and daughters never doubted that love. When people asked him if he missed having a son, he would say, “I’ve been blessed with three wonderful daughters; why would I miss having a son?” He was loyal and true. While he could be strict, stubborn, and exasperating, he was also kind, loving, and forgiving. When he knew he was in the wrong or had hurt someone, he would apologize and ask forgiveness. He was an example of hard work, service, and most of all, faith in his Savior Jesus Christ and his testimony of the Gospel. Ken passed away at home in Boise on 19 April 2024, with his wife Pat, and daughters Kaelyn, Trisha, and Stacie at his side, while his favorite song, “I’ll Walk With God,” played. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Wynona, brothers Glen, Max, Gerald, Richard, and Robert, his only sister, Sandra, as well as many extended family members and friends. He is survived by Pat, his wife of 62 years; their three daughters: Kaelyn (Tracy) Coltrin of Meridian, Trisha (Glen) Michaelson of Nampa, and Stacie (Alan) Doxey, of Nampa; nine grandchildren: Stephanie (Jared) Blackburn, Tiffany Coltrin, Phill Coltrin, Zachary Michaelson (Tessica Tripple), Matthew Michaelson, Andrew (Alexis) Doxey, Ashley (Dylan) Sholer, Brooke Doxey, and Catherine Doxey; and eight great-grandchildren: Gabe, Aliyah, Evelyn, Abigail, Rachel, Sam, Henry, and Margaret, with one due in July 2024; four sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Enhabit Home Health and Hospice for their caring and kindness in treating Ken in his final days; Phill Coltrin for his physical strength and willingness to serve and help his grandparents; and Stacie Doxey for her tireless care that allowed Ken to stay in his home until he went Home. The funeral service will be held 11:00AM Friday, April 26th, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 8620 Goddard Road in Boise. Visitation will be held from 10-10:45AM prior to the service. Interment will take place at Lava Hot Springs Cemetery, Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, Monday, April 29th, at 12:00 noon. The funeral services are under the direction of Zeyer Funeral Chapel, 83 N. Midland Blvd, Nampa, ID.
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