Justin James Guardipee

Justin James Guardipee, 32, passed away February 22, 2023 in Pocatello, Idaho.

Justin was born in Pocatello, ID on March 27, 1990 to George Guardipee and Cindy VanSickel Haney.

Justin lived in Pocatello his whole life except for a few years in Utah and also in Clayton, Idaho where he worked on the Southfork of the Salmon River.

Justin attended preschool at TLC and then attended Edahow Elementary, Franklin Jr. High and Century High School where he graduated in 2008.

Justin loved playing sports and was a great athlete from an early age. He played t-ball, baseball and youth soccer, but his mom didn’t like soccer so he had to quit. He also played basketball and wrestled in middle school, but his real passion was football. Justin played flag football and youth football, he then played defensive end and lettered in football at Century High School.

He loved to hunt, and hunted any and all animals with his families including, deer, elk, antelope, buffalo, birds, really anything that moved, but he really loved to fish for salmon on the Southfork of the Salmon River with his Uncle Steve and Aunt Lois, or Bob as he called her. On those trips he learned to play poker and so many card games! Justin loved playing cards and games and he loved to win. Justin spent most of his youth with his families camping, fishing, hunting and riding motorcycles and 4-wheelers, shooting bows, and shooting anything with his BB gun. He got his first motorcycle when he was 5, and rode that around his uncles’ pasture with training wheels until they were so bent, they didn’t even touch the ground, but he wouldn’t let anyone take them off. Justin also loved video games, snowboarding, paintballing, working out, snow shoeing, hiking, mountain biking and just being outside in nature. He just liked being around people and having fun!

Justin had many different jobs throughout his life, he did not want to work inside a building or office, he wanted to be outside. He was a “hoddie” for the masons, he sprayed weeds for the county, he was an iron worker, but most of the jobs were working construction and carpentry. His favorite job was when he was working for the fisheries, working with fish hatcheries planting and hatching steelhead eyed-eggs. He had a certificate of Aquaculture Arts, but also had many other certificates in the construction field.

For the last couple of years, Justin had lived with his grandparents where he lovingly helped take care of his grandpa. His grandparents thought Justin was a saint, and they and his whole family are so thankful and grateful beyond words for the help and support he has given them.

Justin was a teaser and his humor was one of a kind. He would randomly just say something or make something up just to tease someone or get a rise out of them, and you always knew because you would look at him, with his hat cocked sideways and that half grin on his face! More than anything, Justin loved to love! He had the hugest heart and so many people have reached out to his family to share that most important trait about him. He was loved by so many people and he loved so many people in his life. Justin was the type of person that could talk to anyone and make them feel like they were heard, seen, and loved. Justin loved kids and there wasn’t one that didn’t love him. He was a godfather, “uncle”, get on the ground and play with kids. He was just a great friend, role model and a huge huge teaser with all kids.

Justin is preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Anne Guardipee, Uncle Steve Guardipee, and his beloved dog Ace, who we are sure, has not stopped wagging his tail since Justin got to heaven.

Justin is survived by his dad and stepmom, George and Sherry Guardipee, his mom and dad, Cindy and Sean Haney, sister Rachel Haney, brother Brayden Haney, Grandparents Jim and Nancy VanSickel and Carl and Dorothy Haney. I have to include the aunts and uncles because they were such a big part of Justin’s life. Debbie and Bud Schritter, Karla Holm, Lois Guardipee, Stacy and Grant Anderson, Leslie and Larry Barkell, Mark and Tracy Guardipee and Jackie and Todd Deagle. There are too many special cousins and family members to mention, but they loved him and he loved them with all of his heart.

In lieu of flowers, please find a youth hunting or sports organization to donate to.

Justin has left a huge hole in so many hearts and he will be so greatly missed by so many people, but he will live on through all the people that loved him.

Gone too soon but never forgotten. We love you!

Funeral services will be held in Justin's honor on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at Wilks Funeral Home in Chubbuck.  His family will receive friends at a viewing to take place beginning 2 hours prior to the funeral services.  A Celebration of Life will be held at the Elks Lodge that evening, beginning at 6:30 p.m.  

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