John A. Deobald passed away Saturday, July 16, 2016, at his home in Kendrick, surrounded by family. Cremation has taken place and a private family burial at the American Ridge Cemetery will be held at a later date. Per John's request, there will be no memorial service. However, all family and friends are invited to a luncheon at noon July 30 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall on Ninth Street in Kendrick.
He was born March 15, 1930, to Edwin A. and Anna (Becker) Deobald at St Joseph's Hospital in Lewiston. This was because his siblings had the mumps at home. During his high school years in Kendrick, he played school sports, graduating in 1948. John married Gwendolyn Rae Cook on April 5, 1952, at the Kendrick Methodist Church. He attended the University of Idaho for three years before serving in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Ord, Calif. John lived his entire life in Kendrick except for these two years in the service. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Kendrick and resumed working at the family service station. John retired from the Kendrick Garage in 1991. John and Gwen were honored as the grand marshals of the 2001 Kendrick Locust Blossom Festival parade.
John served on the Kendrick City Council for many years, and as a volunteer for the Kendrick Fire Department. He enjoyed gardening, cooking, wood working, photography and tinkering on special projects. Nearly everything had a repurposed use for him. He followed the Mariners and Seattle Seahawks faithfully. In recent years, he enjoyed watching the local wildlife from his window - elk on the hillside, deer, quail and doves in the yard, butterflies and hummingbirds in the summer. He never missed his children's, their spouses and grandchildren's birthdays, always sending cards sealed with a yellow smiley face. He had a fun sense of humor.
Survivors include his children, John L. Deobald and wife Myra of Wright, Wyo., Jan M. Walk and husband Jerry of Bainbridge Island, Wash., Julie A. Lind and husband Douglas of Moscow, Dr. Lee A. Deobald and wife Claudia of Moscow and Dr. Lyle R. Deobald and wife Dr. Jessie Kim-Deobald of Shoreline, Wash.; and sibling Charles E. Deobald of Kendrick. Grandchildren are John R. (Ashley) Deobald, Alissa (Michael) Bechtle, Sarah (Reins) Curlin, Amanda (Kyle) Johnson, Christian Walk, Mariah Walk, Andrew (Cassie) Heimgartner, Brian Heimgartner, Kelly Deobald, Jackson Deobald and Leah Deobald. Great-grandchildren include Landon and Connor Bechtle, Anabelle and Levi Curlin and Ava Heimgartner.
His parents; brother Theodore (Ted) Deobald; and sisters Arlene (Watts) Wallace and Ann Keene preceded him in death.
The family extends our deepest thanks to Sally Browning for her kindness and help caring for Dad. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the charity of their choice or the Kendrick War Memorial Pool. Checks should be payable to the City of Kendrick, P.O. Box 195, Kendrick, ID 83537.
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