Obituary

Dale Bruce Kirkham

Dale Bruce Kirkham, 86, passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from a sudden stroke.  His family, to whom he was devoted, was at his side.   He was born May 24, 1925 in Lehi, Utah to Oliver George Kirkham and LaVerde Bushman Kirkham. He was the youngest of five siblings.  His childhood was filled with opportunities to learn as his father taught him capentry, farming, mechanics, and handiman skills.  As a youth he was very entreprenurial.  He raised and sold rabbits, delivered news papers, scrapped Model Ts, and helped out on the farm where he learned a love of animals.  His passion for animals continued all through his life. He attended Lehi schools where he was involved in sports, music, and student affairs.  He loved to dance and swim.  He graduated with the class of 1942 and enlisted in the Navy at the height of World War II.

He spent his 19th, 20th, and 21st birthdays serving in the Navy aboard a landing craft, LCI222.  He fought in the Pacific during World War II.  These were important formative years in his life.   After the war he attended Brigham Young University graduating with a degree in accounting. He then moved to Pocatello, Idaho where he started an auto parts business and took advanced business courses from ISU.  In Pocatello he met Bodell Smith and they were married on May 29, 1950.  Together they worked daily and enjoyed a 55-year partnership establishing both a family and a business. Their small single auto parts store, Dale’s Auto Supply Company, has grown to include auto recycling, equipment sales, real estate development, and outdoor advertising enterprises. For twenty-one years, he and his company have sponsored scholarships for the School of Applied Technology at Idaho State University and have provided hundreds of jobs in the area.

Dale faithfully worked daily with his sons, Kirk and Rich, daughters-in-law Kathy and Jill, and Grandson Scott to the day of his death.  Business and family were his life. He also served continuously in the community.  He was active on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce, the Hospital, and the City and County Zoning Boards.  He was a licensed pilot.  He quietly sponsored annual volunteer community cleanup efforts throughout his life removing dozens of undesired structures and unwanted trees to help beautifty Pocatello.

He was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He served faithfully in many capacities including serveral high councils, bishoprics, and bishop. He was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He continually reached out to the one.

He is survived by his son Dale B. “Kirk” (Jill) Kirkham Jr., and their four children; son Richard D. (Kathy) Kirkham, and their four sons Michael Adam (Jill M.) Kirkham, Richard Christian (Elyssa) Kirkham, Kirk Robert (Lauren) Kirkham, Matthew Thomas (Morgan) Kirkham; daughter Karol Bodell Kirkham (Scott) Stokes, and their five children Steven Scott (Jaquel) Stokes, Amy Karol (Aaron) Ricks, Elden Dale Stokes, twins Julie Veda Stokes and Jenny Bodell Stokes; Ten great grandchldren; sister Dona Parkinson, brother Dean (Gloria) Kirkham, brother-in-law Gary (Rita) Smith.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Bodell, and brothers Reed Kirkham and Avery “Huck” Kirkham.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or ISU College of Technology, attention Melisa Moon, 921 S. 8th Ave, Stop 8380, Pocatello, Idaho, 83209-8380.

A viewing will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Friday, February 17, 2012, at the Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4th Ave, Pocatello, Idaho.  Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 18, 2012 at the LDS Highland 2nd Ward Chapel, 2925 Michelle, with Bishop Rodney Eggleston conducting.  Interment will be at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Pocatello, Idaho. For more information visit Dale’s website at www.LCI222.com

February 11th, 2012