Clarence Frickey

Clarence Alvin Frickey, 85, of Idaho Falls, passed away July 8, 2017, at Morningstar Senior Living Center, surrounded by his loving family. Clarence was born February 8, 1932, in Billings, Montana, to Charles John Frickey and Alma Teresa Frickey. He spent his early years in California and Idaho. He attended Ammon High School, playing football, track, and was Student Body President. In the summers he worked the dry farms for Clifford Judy. The day after graduation he left for the U. S. Air Force and was honorably discharged four years later. In 1950, he met and fell in love with his beautiful wife, Carol, over the backyard fence. They married October 15, 1953, and in 1954 they were blessed with twin girls, Ida and Yvonne, who passed away soon after birth. More children followed and soon they had a tribe of six children, Steven, Brian, Evelyn, Doug, Todd and Paula, who grew up idolizing their father. His infectious love of nature and the outdoors will forever be ingrained in their lives. Clarence was a wonderful husband and father. He was funny, supportive, kind, and patient, which was a difficult task with six children! He was an exceptional artist and loved carving and painting – anything to keep his hands busy. He was a scoutmaster, an avid sportsman and spent his free time in the fall fishing, camping and hunting up at Ice House Creek. Some of his most memorable trips were with his good friend, Bill Keleher, steelhead fishing. Clarence worked for GE, Los Alamos, and then at Argonne West National Laboratory as a Chief Technician, working with manipulators in the hot cells. He retired in 1994. Clarence and Carol enjoyed their golden years, traveling, camping and spending time with the children and grandkids. They took daily drives to see the elk, Palisades, West Yellowstone and anywhere else they felt the urge to go. Clarence knew every back road. Up until the end he’d still ask to fill up the car and go for a drive. Clarence was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister, Helen Clapp, and twin daughters. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Carol, and his six children and their spouses, Steven (Mary) Frickey, Brian (Sandy) Frickey, Todd (Diana) Frickey, Paula (Dave) Sanderlin, all of Rigby, ID, Doug (Sandra) Frickey of Idaho Falls, and Evelyn (Steve) Ringman of Seattle, WA, 19 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Clarence's laugh, smile and wonderful sense of humor will be dearly missed. At his request, there will be no services. The family will have a private celebration in honor of his life - in the woods where his heart was always the happiest. Special thanks to Morningstar Senior Living Center, the Reflections Memory Care staff, and Encompass Hospice for the loving care and support they gave to Clarence. All of you made his last two months truly pleasurable.

Private Family Services will be held. He passed away