Donald Edward Packard

"Ted" Donald Edward Packard

Ted was born on December 21, 1930, in Pocatello, ID at the home of his parents. Ted always said he was born on the shortest day of the year because his mom couldn’t put up with him. He was the son of Isaac Charles Packard Jr. and Myrtle Gammell. When Isaac and Myrtle married, Isaac had 4 daughters, Vera, Helen, Marie and Geraldine. Myrtle brought to the marriage a son and a daughter, Joe and Pauline. Together they had 6 more children Betty, Jack, Ted, Jerry, Barbara and Gordon. Ted loved his family so much as his brothers and sisters were his best friends. When Ted was 2 years old, he began spending each day with a family friend, Fred Lehrbos. Fred was a wonderful man who raised Ted up on Scout Mountain until Fred passed away when Ted was 14 years old. Fred taught Ted many things and many life’s lessons, but hunting, fishing and trapping became Ted’s greatest interests and talents. Fred taught Ted to have a great love and respect for the outdoors, which he passed on to his children and grandchildren.

By the time Ted was 8 years old he was the youngest member of the Pocatello “Rod and Gun Club”. Ted was also featured in the national publication, Field & Stream, at the age of 8 because he had shot a mule deer at such a young age. Ted shared his common love of hunting and fishing with his brothers. Year after year he and his brothers would go on their annual deer and elk hunt. It was a great bonding experience for each of them. Later their sons started to go on these hunts and experienced the great outdoors with them. Ted also passed his love for the outdoors and nature to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Who have wonderful memories of fishing in Rapid Creek behind the house, fishing and picnicking at Pebble Creek or Mink Creek and going on rides in the mountains above Inkom on the UTV.

Ted served in the artillery branch of the army in the Korean War and was mostly stationed in Germany. Ted was honorably discharged as a PFC (T) on February 12, 1953.

After Ted’s military service he returned to Pocatello where he met the love of his life, Donna Sorensen. They were married on April 8th, 1954, at the home of Donna’s parents in Pocatello. They were later sealed together for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 23, 1971. They celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary this past April.

Ted worked for the Union Pacific Railroad in Pocatello for almost 10 years, then he went on to work for the Idaho Fish and Game Department (IF&G) where he worked for 28 years. After retiring from IF&G he worked for Idaho Power for 5 years. His jobs were primarily outdoors as he was never comfortable working in an office setting. Most of his years with IF&G were at the Fish Hatchery in American Falls, Idaho. American Falls is where he and Donna settled in and raised their family. After retiring from the IF&G they moved to Inkom, ID where they have been ever since. If you knew Ted, you were a lucky person. Ted was one of the kindest men you would ever meet. He had a heart of service and giving and had a great sense of humor.

Ted is survived by his wife, Donna Packard (Inkom, ID), children Fred Packard (Pocatello, ID), David (Cheryl) Packard (Inkom, ID), Rose Marie (Carter) Boardman (Elizabeth, CO), sister, Barbara (Jerry) Lundberg (Hurricane, Utah), 7 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 11 am at the LDS church, 973 N. Rapid Creek Road, Inkom, ID, with a viewing from 10-10:45 am prior. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, 1520 S. 5th Ave. Pocatello, ID.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Primary Children’s Hospital or Shriners Hospital.

The family would like to give as special heartfelt thanks to Encompass Home Heath for their months of dedicated hospice care.

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