Clyde Passmore

CLYDE L. PASSMORE IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Clyde Lionel Passmore, of Idaho Falls, died at his home on April 2, 2005, one day before his 87th birthday. He was under the care of his loving wife, family, and Hospice of Eastern Idaho. He was born on April 3, 1918, to Charles and Harriet Roszell Passmore at their residence in the township of Wayne, Kansas. He maintained a strong tie to his boyhood home by regularly attending most of his class reunions. He was the keynote speaker in 2001 for his Belleville High School 1936 Class reunion. He and his wife traveled to the Midwest almost every year to visit family, friends, and to do genealogy work at the local libraries, museums, and graveyards. Clyde had a strong love for his country. He passed this patriotism on to his children and grandchildren. He joined the U. S. Army Air Corps in 1941 and attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. Clyde retired as Master Sergeant from the Air Force in 1978. In 1942, he met and married Dorothy Bocook while stationed at Pendleton, Oregon. Their love for each other was an inspiration to all who knew them. Their love blossomed into a lifelong companionship of nurturing and caring for each other and for those they love. They were devoted to each other for 62 years and beyond. After World War II they settled in Pocatello for a time, and in 1954 they moved to Idaho Falls where they raised their family, and became charter members of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Clyde was a very compassionate man, ready and willing to help anyone in need. On one occasion on a return trip from Hill Air Force base, he came upon a car accident. Hearing a weak cry, he found the injured couple’s infant, comforted and carried the baby to the hospital. His rescue missions included going out in the middle of the night to fix flat tires and picking up children and grandchildren whenever needed. This pattern of courage was repeated throughout his life. His family knew he was always there for them. Clyde was well known for his integrity. As a salesman at Ahlstrom’s Furniture, his customers knew that any question they asked would be answered honestly. He knew what other stores sold, and if he could not get a product for a customer he would refer them to a place that could fulfill their needs. He inherited a natural ability from his mother to coordinate colors, which talent led to a career as a furnishing counselor and interior designer at Ahlstrom’s Furniture, where he retired in 1988. His love for gardening was obvious; he always shared the produce from his garden and many fruit trees with everyone he knew. He was well known by the neighborhood children for his friendliness and generosity, and they fondly called him the “Apple Man.” Clyde was known for his curious mind, contributing numerous articles to challenge the community’s mindset. One of his favorite contributions was the “You Asked For It” column in the Idaho Falls Post Register newspaper. His love for learning helped him develop an interest in archeology, community history, and in visiting sites of historical interest. He enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing, genealogy, car racing, metal detecting, gardening, and traveling with his lifetime companion. Clyde’s greatest joy was his family. He delighted in his grandchildren, and he loved to share his knowledge with them. He stayed very busy keeping up with all their activities and events. He shared his love of music gained from his childhood piano lessons, by playing the guitar and banjo, but he truly loved his harmonica and enjoyed playing it for his grandchildren. Clyde is survived by his wife, Dorothy, of Idaho Falls; his four children: Anne (Larry) Flood, of Tulare, CA, and children Donise, Julie, Joel, Aaron, Lora, David, Kathleen, Matthew, and Amy; Sheila (Richard) Woods of Ogden, UT, and daughters Deedra, and Macy; Garret (Wynette) Passmore, of Rigby, and children Brianne, Jacob, Denham, Dillan and Emmalee; and Brian (Brenda) Passmore of Idaho Falls, and children Breann, Karianne, Emily, Kristopher, Benjamin, Kolton, and Kennedy; and 11 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Gabriel Passmore and Harriet “Hattie” Roszell Passmore; a brother, Charles Dee Passmore; his sister, Miriam Nan McCracken; and one grandson, Adam Joseph Flood. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 9, 2005, at Wood Funeral Home (273 N. Ridge). A viewing will be held Friday, April 8th from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 9th from 10 to 10:45 a.m., both at Wood Funeral Home. Full military honors will be provided by the Hill Air Force Base Honor Guard, and Clyde will be interred at the Ammon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hospice of Eastern Idaho, 181 Moran Street, Idaho Falls, ID 83401.