Earl Grant Dayley

Earl Grant Dayley passed away at home surrounded by the love of his family on Tuesday, October 31, 2017. He courageously fought a glioblastoma (brain cancer) for the last six months of his mortal life. Earl was born to Kendall and Blanche Peck Dayley on December 6, 1952 in Twin Falls, Idaho. He was the sixth of seven children, having three brothers and three sisters. He attended Southwest and Dworshak Elementary, Burley Junior High, and Burley High Schools. Earl was born with an innate ability to construct anything he set his mind to. If you had something that needed fixing he was your man. He was a happy child and easy to locate as he was always whistling. He loved to eat directly out of the family garden and acquired a taste for sweet onion and peanut butter sandwiches. In high school Earl was a pole vaulter, state champion wrestler, and captain of the football team, he was a member of Boys State, and student body vice president. After high school he went to work for Boise Cascade and soon thereafter married his high school sweetheart, the beautiful Debra Lynn Christian on January 21, 1972. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 9, 1991.

Earl and Debbie had three sons, Jacob "Jed", Justin, and Jon. They moved to Pocatello and raised their boys there. Soon after their move he started Dayley Concrete Construction, a very successful commercial and residential concrete construction business. Earl was an extremely hard worker and taught his boys to be the same, which has been a great advantage to them. Earl was a loving grandfather and enjoyed spending time with each of his grandchildren. Earl was intelligent and witty, even in his last days the clever remarks kept everyone smiling.

As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Earl served in several callings, including Scout Master and Young Men's President. He and Debbie's love for the youth was felt by those they served and several of those young men and women became part of the family along the way. Earl also served as Bishop and his tireless service had a far reaching effect, blessing all those in the ward. Earl was a great proponent of Scouting and helped several young men earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

Earl had a passion for the history of the exploration and opening of the western frontier. He had a great love and respect for the family that came before him and was thrilled when he acquired his ancestral home in Oakley, Idaho. He spent hours improving the grounds and home. He loved the Oakley Valley and the people there. Earl was a master gardener; gardening was therapy to Earl, which was evidenced by the gardens he grew in both Pocatello and Oakley. It was a joy for him to share the harvest with his family, friends, and neighbors. His tomatoes, corn, and potatoes were especially well known and will be missed by all those that have ever tasted them.

Earl is preceded in death by his parents, Kendall and Blanche Dayley, his brother, Marlin Dayley, and his father-in-law, John Christian. He is survived by his wife, Debra Dayley, his children, Jacob (Annique), Justin (Jerilyn), and Jon (Tara)all of Pocatello, and Nikkie Schwemmer of Idaho Falls, his grandchildren, Joe, Quinn, Christian, Kelan, Brooklyn, Reece, Milee, Connor, Zakary, and Abby, his mother-in-law, Sally (Don) Danner of Albion, and his siblings, Newell (Diane) Dayley of Provo, Utah, Lorna (George) Dufur of Boise, Ruth (Kent) Brower of Boise, Kathleen (Wayne) Bevans of Cardston, Alberta, Canada, and James (Carol) Dayley of Placerville, California.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at the LDS Church on the corner of Hawthorne and Quinn Roads. A viewing will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 6, 2017 at Wilks Funeral Home 211 W. Chubbuck Road and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning at the church.

Family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Encompass Home Health and Hospice for their competent and compassionate care through his end of life journey.

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