Anthony A Varilone

Anthony Albert (Tony) Varilone, 72, passed away Tuesday December 8, 2015 at Portneuf Medical Center, Pocatello, Idaho with his family at his side.

He was born May 24, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan to Albert John and Ina E. (Bernier) Varilone. Tony attended school and grew up in Detroit. He attended Michigan State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry graduating September 2, 1966. His summers were spent working for the U.S. Forest Service on several different forests in the west before graduating from college.

Tony started his 35 year career with the Forest Service in Salmon, ID on the Cobalt Ranger District. He met the love of his life, Carol Jeanne (Miller) on December 21, 1968. They were married six weeks later on February 15, 1969. They made their first home in Salmon transferring to the Emmett Ranger District, Boise National Forest in May 1970. Their first child Michael Albert was born on August 16, 1970.

In May 1972, Tony was transferred to the Garden Valley Ranger District for four months. The districts were combined moving Tony into the Timber Manager position on the Mountain Home Ranger District, Boise National Forest in Mountain Home, ID. During their four year stay in Mountain Home their daughter, Heidi Jeanne, was born on December 15, 1972.

In December 1976, the family moved to the Dubois Ranger District, Targhee National Forest. They spent four years in Dubois, ID and then moved to the wilderness of Alaska.

They spent 3 years 7 months and 22 days in Ketchikan Alaska, Tongass National Forest. They loved the adventures and fun life in Alaska, where Tony was awarded the Federal Employee of the Year award in May 1983.

Tony became the District Ranger for the Soda Springs Ranger District on the Caribou National Forest in August 1984. He loved the district, the people, and most of all, his job. In all of the 47 years that Jeanne and Tony have been together, not once did he say that he did not want to go to work. Not too many people can say that about their job.

Tony spent 16 years on the Caribou National Forest where he was appointed the Ranger of the Year award in 1995. This was a very special and meaningful to his heart because it came from his employees.

After 35 years with the United States Forest Service, Tony retired in December 2000. He continued to work and donate his time to various organizations up to the time of his death.

He was on the Greater Soda Springs Community Development Committee (GSSCDC) and the Carriboo Development Committee. He took great pride in doing this for the tourism of Soda Springs.

October 1999, Tony announced his bid for the City Council in Soda Springs. He won the election on November 2, 1999. He took pride in our community and helped to better it in every way for the good of the people.

In May 2001, Tony was named the Economic Development Specialist in this area. Like everything else he did, he went with gusto writing grants to improve the business and job potential for this part of Southeast Idaho while maintaining the high quality of life we all enjoy.

Tony spent many hours of his volunteer time dressing up like Jesse Fairchild (Carriboo Jack) to educate the school children about the important history of Soda Springs and Caribou County and how it got its name. He rode tour busses that came through Soda Springs from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Park telling about the history of the area.

Other committees Tony was involved in were the Bear River Heritage, the Caribou Historical Society, the Idaho Heritage Trust, Idaho Foundation for Parks and Lands, Idaho Adopt A Highway, Scholarship Lions Club, Pioneer Country Travel Council, Pioneer Historic Byway and the Oregon Trail Scenic Byway.

Tony instigated the Conda Bus Restoration, Ground Observer Corps Project, Soda Springs Canal Pathway Interpretive Signs, Geyser Mound Signs, and Wayfinding Signs and many other projects to numerous to list. Tony was awarded the Soda Springs Hometown Hero Award in May 2014.

You will find Tony's footprints wherever you go in Soda Springs. He has left a legacy and will be truly missed.

Tony is survived by his wife Jeanne, son Michael of Jackson, WY, and daughter Heidi (Chris) Thompson of Soda Springs, ID. Sister, Mary Lou (Walt) Suchin of Lewiston, MI. Three granddaughters of Pocatello ID, Hailey Jo Johnston, Rikki Lee Thompson and Kayla Lynn Watkins. One great grandson, Connor James Johnston of Pocatello, Idaho. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Carol Ann Putnam, and brother Albert Varilone.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 12 at 2:00 P.M. A viewing will be held on Friday, December 11 from 5:00- 8:00 P.M., both at the Presbyterian Church, 109 S 1st E in Soda Springs. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Caribou Historical Society of Soda Springs, 371 Mclean Ave. Soda Springs, ID 83276. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.wilksfuneralhome.com