Fred Emmitt

Fred L. Emmitt, 73, passed away peacefully at his home on May 14, 2018, of pneumonia, while fighting his battle with lung cancer. He was surrounded by his wife and family. Fred was born February 3, 1945, in Ogden, Utah. As a young boy he lived in various states due to his father’s occupation. The longest he ever lived in one place was three years. As a result, Fred became very good at making friends. He graduated high school in Andover, Ohio. He proudly served in the U.S. Army at Fort Ord, California, from 1965-67 during the Vietnam Era. After his discharge, he remained in the San Francisco Bay area working as advertising manager for a grocery chain. In 1973, he moved to Irwin, Idaho, to help run the family business, Palisades Lodge. It was there he met his wife, Tammy Taggart and her young son. They were married August 16, 1977, and later became parents of two more sons. They made their home in Idaho Falls. Fred worked construction for a short time. He was project manager during the construction of the Lincoln Court Retirement Center. He began his career in the car business in 1979. Over the next 30+ years he worked at several dealerships including Ford and Toyota, as a salesman and finance manager. In 1994 he went to work at the GM/Cadillac dealership, until his retirement in 2007. Fred thrived on being busy and worked a few part-time jobs after retirement, but enjoyed spending time working in his workshop and camping with his family. He was always busy in his yard, doing home improvements, and building furniture for Tammy and the grandkids. They kept him busy and he always had a project going on. His greatest joy in life was entertaining people and spending time with family. He adored all five of his grandchildren. He had a special bond with them and each looked forward to their "Papa Days" with popcorn and ice cream. Fred had a witty sense of humor and was famous for his stories. He was known to start conversations with strangers and friends alike everywhere he went. He could win anyone over, but heaven help you if you were in a hurry when one of his detailed stories began. One of his last phrases was, "I still have a few good laughs in me." He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Doris Emmitt and his sister, Lori. Fred is survived by his wife, Tammy; his sons, Russell (Tara) of Rexburg; Todd (Tiffany) of Ammon; Ryan (Nicolette) of Las Vegas; his sisters, Shirley Severa and Sandy Poole of Idaho Falls; his brother, John (Tina) of Fairview Park, OH; his 5 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 19, 2018, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road. The family will visit with friends Friday from 7-8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 1-1:45 p.m., both visitations at Wood East Side. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery where Military Rites will be performed by the Jefferson County Veterans Memorial Team and the Idaho Honor Guard.

Funeral Services will be held