Jack W. Wells

Jack Wayne Wells, 91, passed away peacefully in his sleep with his nearby family at his side. He was the son of Ersa Rathbun Wells and Cecil Warren Wells, and was born in Bairoil, Wyoming, the oldest of three brothers including James (aka Jim or Rick) who pre-deceased him, and Rex Dean Wells of Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

After the family had lived in Missouri, they moved to Idaho where they settled in Mackay. At the beginning of WWII the family moved to Long Beach and he joined the Navy at age 17, and served in the South Pacific on a destroyer escort. After discharge, he completed his high school education in Long Beach, California. After that time his family moved back to Mackay, Idaho to property they had owned when they had lived there. It was there that he met and married LaVern Badger in 1946. They moved to Pocatello where he started at Idaho State College. This marriage ended in the summer of 1947. LaVern was expecting his baby at that time.

LaVern then married Melvin Poole, the man she had dated prior to his own military service and had returned from the Azores in June of 1947, the daughter was born after the marriage the following January, and was named Karen LaRae Poole.

After a short marriage to Dorothy Leeper, Jack met Arlene Franco, who had a young daughter, Yvonne Dawn, and together they had a daughter named Sheila Maureen (Mikki). This marriage lasted for over 50 years.

He worked for and retired from the Border Patrol/U.S. Immigration Department. They enjoyed traveling and attending Navy, Border Patrol, etc. reunions as a part of his retirement. Arlene passed away from cancer in January of 2002.

Jack remarried LaVern in late summer of 2002 and moved back to Idaho where they made their home for 12 years. He and LaVern both enjoyed traveling and continued attending those reunions. LaVern passed away in 2014, which left Jack with a large Idaho posterity. He remained based in Chubbuck, Idaho and also purchased property in Lake Havasu City, Arizona near his brother Rex for wintertime.

Jack is survived by his brother Rex Wells; daughter Karen Poole Murphy (Howard); daughter Mikki Wells; son-in-law Val Gouseff (Luba) – Yvonne Gouseff predeceased in 2004; Tracy Poole (Karen); grandchildren Melina Murphy Lindholm, Paul Murphy, Cliff Murphy, Monica Poole Morris, Trina Poole Burgin, Kristy Poole Clute, SharRon Poole Bloxham, Trand Poole, (all from Idaho) Jack Arnatt, Kim Arnatt Roach, Aaron Wells and Jaclyn Gouseff Ulmer. He is also survived by Idaho based Great Grandchildren: Colt Lindholm, Sloane Murphy Lewis, Mitchell Murphy, Matthew Murphy, Siera Lindholm McOmber, Sophia Murphy, Kayman Lindholm, and Javin Murphy, plus other great grandchildren from his longest marriage. Additionally, there are numerous great-great grandchildren in various areas of the country.

As per Jack's wishes, cremation has taken place and he will be interred in Pocatello, Idaho and San Diego, California. A celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Should you wish, memorial contributions can be made to a trust fund for their posterity's educations. Please contact Karen Murphy for further information after September 25, 2017 at 208-339-3055. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family under the "Tribute Wall" tab above.