Ferron Empey

Ferron James Empey, 97, longtime resident of Ammon and Idaho Falls, passed away October 6, 2017, at Aspen Rehab Center in Meridian, Idaho. Ferron was born March 3, 1920, in Ammon, Idaho, to Alonzo Ernest Empey and Olive Adaline Mitchell Empey. He grew up and attended schools in Ammon and graduated from Ammon High School. Ferron enlisted in the Army in January 1942. He served in the 770th Railroad Battalion and spent three years in Alaska and one year in the Philippines keeping the trains running. On March 12, 1946, he married Nelda Jeneve High. On March 11, 1954, they were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple. To this union were born seven children, Linda, Eric, Alta, Thelma, Ernest and two stillborn babies. Ferron and Nelda made their home in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where Ferron worked as a switch operator for Union Pacific Railroad for 40 years. Nelda passed away March 20, 1997. In January 2003, he married Eldean Bradley and they were later divorced. Ferron lived with his daughter, Alta, in Boise, since 2010. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in various capacities over the years, including working with Nelda as Spanish Extractors, a calling they loved dearly. In 1989, they served a full-time mission together to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ferron enjoyed many different activities including snowmobiling, fishing, woodworking, gardening, and being with his extended family. Ferron is survived by his daughter, Linda (Bill) Dugan of West Valley City, UT, son, Eric (Sandy) Empey of Thomas, ID, daughter, Alta (Dan) Sessions of Boise, ID, daughter, Thelma (Boyd) Tidwell of West Jordan, UT, son, Ernest (Shawna) Empey of Pasco, WA, 21 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Nelda, an infant son and an infant daughter. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 13, 2017, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road. The family will visit with friends from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Friday at Wood East Side. Burial will be in the Ammon Cemetery. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard.

Funeral Services will be held