Doyle Ray Chatterton

Our dear husband, father, grandfather and friend peacefully slipped away Thursday morning, June 11, 2009 in the arms of his family. It was determined his ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) had started as early as 2006. The paralysis started in his arms, then moved to his chest and throat robbing him of the ability to swallow and finally to breathe. His attitude remained the same: a deep appreciation of his family, his friends, our beautiful world, and most of all God and his beloved son Jesus Christ.

Doyle was born at home in Robin, Idaho on December 8, 1931 to Virgie (Armstrong) and William Ray Chatterton. Ray died of typhoid fever when Doyle was nearly three. It was during the depression so Virgie went to Salt Lake to find work and Doyle grew up in his grandmother's home. When he was about 10 his mother remarried and brought Doyle to Pocatello to live with her and her new husband. He graduated from Pocatello High School with the class of 1950.

On New Year's Eve of 1949 when he was a senior he attended a party where he met Dorothy Gardner. At midnight he kissed her, they looked into each other's eyes and both knew in that moment that they were eternally bound. They married in May 1951 while he was home on a short leave from the Air Force. That marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple in May 1964. Doyle was lucky enough not to be shipped to Korea since all but five of his platoon was killed in the war.

After his service years they returned to Pocatello where he attended ISU. He later quit school and went to work as a carpenter for Darrell Booth. He became a contractor and built many fine homes in the Pocatello area. He was the strong, silent type, always honest and kind and always gave the homeowner a beautiful home for a fair price. In about 1978 he went to work for Bannock County as an appraiser.

He retired in 1997 and he and Dorothy spent many happy hours in the car going on road trips to see their children, or to simply drive and enjoy the scenery. Doyle was very artistic and his cabinetry, stained glass, carvings and beautiful woodworking reflected this talent. He was a great reader and was very interested in natural healing, good nutrition and other health related matters. He enjoyed his friends and had many. In later years he loved to go to the 1 o'clock coffee klatch at the Mall to drink decaf and visit with his cronies. Doyle was a member of the LDS church and came back into activity in 2003. He loved the gospel and the church and was so glad he had finally found his faith again.

Doyle is survived by his wife and four children: Lori (Dale) Whiting Salem, Utah, Debbie (Larry) Fisher, Pocatello, Jennie (Robert) Reese of Idaho Falls, Doug (Melanie) of Plano, Texas, and his sister Lois (Dean) Kipp. Their oldest son Mark (Stacy) drowned in 1983 at the age of 29. His parents, William Ray Chatterton, Virgie Steele, and his step-father LeRoy Steele preceded him in death.

We are grateful to the Veteran's Administration including Dan Buchin PA, Debbie Harmon and many others there for all of the help and supplies they provided. Our thanks also to Creekside Home Health and Hospice, to Dr. Mark Bromberg at the University of Utah Neurological Science Center and to Portneuf Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held at noon Tuesday, June 16 at the Highland Third Ward LDS chapel on the corner of Butte and Hiskey, with Bishop Jim Lothspeich conducting. A viewing will be held Monday evening, June 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road, and 11 to 11:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church Tuesday. His burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Section 52 West, with military rites provided by Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard and the Idaho National Guard.