Jack Southworth

Jack William Southworth, 88, of Idaho Falls, Idaho passed away on Monday, November 22, 2010, of causes incident to age, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC). He was born October 7, 1922 at LaBelle, Idaho to Joseph E. (Shorty) Southworth and Eliza Ann Jackson Southworth. He was the second of five children. He attended schools in Tyhee and Pocatello, Idaho, graduating from Pocatello High School in 1940. He worked with his father, farming and hauling lumber, worked as a dairy delivery driver, and at the old Pocatello Flour Mill. While growing up, he was also a member of the family "Spike Jones" style dance band, Shorty's Wranglers, that his father headed, playing in Southeast Idaho, Western Wyoming, and Northern Utah. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Fort Douglas, Utah. He served in the 91st Infantry in North Africa and Italy. His combat operations included the Rome, Arno, Northern Appenines, and Po Valley. He left the Army in November 1945 and returned to Pocatello. He was employed for fifteen years at the Golob Oil Company as a fuel oil delivery driver and salesman, and operated the first metered fuel oil home delivery trucks in the area. . He married Norma Joy Rouse in April 1946 and had recently celebrated sixty-four years of companionship. In 1965 they moved from Pocatello to Idaho Falls, where he worked 21 years as a bus driver for the Idaho Nuclear Engineering Laboratory, retiring in 1986. Together they raised five sons. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, (being the camp cook), gardening, harvesting firewood with his sons, and traveling in the motor home. He is a life member of the American Legion, and served on the War Bonnet Rodeo Committee in several capacities, for six years, which he deeply enjoyed. He was awarded the American Legion Bonneville Post 56, Legionnaire of the Year Award, in 1992. He was an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Norma, four sons, Corrie, of Magna, Utah, Ross (Julie) of Blackfoot, Idaho, Norman of Idaho Falls, and Ned (Colleen) of Idaho Falls. He had 16 grand children, and 17 great grand children. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, and his oldest son, Jerry. A viewing with family prayer will be held at the Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 South Fourth Ave, Pocatello, Idaho on Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 1130 a.m. for two hours. Internment will follow at the Mountain View Cemetery in Pocatello. The family wants to publicly thank the staff of the EIRMC, for the compassion and care they provided our husband, father and grand father. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.Colonial-FuneralHome.com.