Jeffrey Paul Waldron, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home in Idaho Falls on July 5, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was 69 years old. He was under the compassionate care of Solace Home Health and Hospice after courageously facing ALS.

Jeff was born on March 3, 1957, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Ernest 'Lloyd' Waldron and Orpha Hawkins Waldron. He grew up in Pocatello, attended Syringa Elementary, Alameda Jr. High and graduated from Highland High School in 1975, and later attended Idaho State University.

On October 30, 1981, Jeff married the love of his life, Tamera Lane Heyrend, in Idaho Falls. Their marriage united two families, with Jeff bringing his children, Sean and Echo, and Tamera bringing her daughter, Brittany. Shortly after they were married, Jeff lovingly adopted Brittany, proudly making her his own. A few years later, they welcomed their daughter, Charish, completing the family that became the center of Jeff's world. Together they built a beautiful life centered on family, laughter, hard work and adventure. They made their home in Idaho Falls, where Jeff enjoyed a successful career at Gem State Paper & Supply and Unisource, before later serving and retiring as Sales Manager for Waxie Sanitary Supply, forming countless lifelong friendships along the way.

Jeff had a quiet, lifelong desire to help others however he could. One of the ways he faithfully served was through blood donation, giving an extraordinary 118 gallons to the American Red Cross over his lifetime. Because of his rare blood type, he was always eager to answer the call when it was needed. In recent years, he began donating plasma, often joking that he had finally found a way to get paid for doing something he had happily done for decades. It was so Jeff, generous to his core, humble about his service and always able to find a reason to smile.

To know Jeff was to know someone who was always moving. He believed life was meant to be lived outdoors and together. Whether he was fishing on a river, hiking mountain trails, including summiting the Grand Teton, Mount Borah, and Table Mountain multiple times, golfing, hunting, running races, working out at the Apple Athletic Club, or officiating high school basketball games for an incredible 34 years, he found joy in staying active and inviting others to join him. His greatest joy, however, wasn't found on a trail or a basketball court, it was found in being "Dad" and "Papa." Jeff tried to make every game, recital, concert, birthday, fishing trip, camping adventure or opportunity to simply be present. He had a remarkable gift of making each of his children and grandchildren feel like they were the most important person in the room. He was everyone's biggest fan, greatest coach and safest place to land. No matter how busy life became, he always made time for the people he loved.

He taught his family far more than how to cast a fishing line or hike another mile. He taught them to show up, to work hard, to laugh often, to love deeply and to make memories whenever possible. His legacy lives on every time his family chooses adventure over comfort, music over silence, or togetherness over busyness.

Jeff also shared a lifelong love of music. There was almost always a song playing at home, in the car, or wherever family gathered. Whether dancing or singing along to a favorite song, music became one more way he connected with those he loved.

He was known for his warm smile, bold mustache, kind heart and ability to make friends wherever he went. He genuinely cared about people. He listened and offered encouragement freely and made others feel seen and valued. He had a touch of FOMO-he genuinely wanted to be wherever the people he loved were making memories.

His voicemail ended with the simple phrase, "Make it a great day," and those words became more than just a sign-off, they were a reflection of how he chose to live. Jeff believed each day was a gift, and he encouraged everyone around him to make the very most of it.

Jeff had a deep love for his country. Every Fourth of July he proudly celebrated with family, running the Firecracker 5K, hosting barbecues, filling the sky with fireworks and flying a large American flag in his front yard. Patriotism wasn't just something he talked about, it was something he joyfully celebrated with those around him.

He believed in Jesus Christ, and faced his final months with remarkable courage, gratitude and hope. Although ALS gradually weakened his body, it never diminished his love for his family or his unwavering faith that families are eternal.

Jeff is survived by his wife of 44 years, Tamera Lane Waldron of Idaho Falls; his children, Brittany (Matthew) TeNgaio of Idaho Falls, Sean (Jessica) Waldron of Idaho Falls, Echo (Brandon) Noble of Meridian, and Charish (Clayton) Hubbard of Springville, Utah; his eleven beautiful grandchildren, Kobe, Ethan, Jaxon, Madeline, Sophie, Oliver, Hawkins, Benson, Wells, Graham and Gwendolyn, who brought endless joy to his life; his sister, Nancy (Larry) Christensen of McCammon; brothers, Randy Waldron of Inkom, Steve (April) Waldron of Idaho Falls, and Michael (Sandra) Waldron of Idaho Falls; and his sister, Karen (Val) Bradley of Nibley, Utah.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Orpha Waldron.

Those who knew Jeff will remember his bright smile and blue eyes, contagious laugh, endless encouragement, competitive spirit, love of the outdoors, unforgettable playlists and the way he made everyone feel like family.

His family finds peace knowing that the man who spent his life hiking mountains, dancing to great music, casting fishing lines, cheering from the sidelines and loving without reservation is now free from pain and running again.

Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, July 18, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 260 Castlerock Lane, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Family and friends are invited to visit with the family beginning at 11:00 a.m. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Jeff's memory to the ALS Association to support ALS research and bring hope to individuals and families affected by this devastating disease.

In honor of Jeff, spend time outdoors, hug your family, turn up your favorite song, and, as he would always say, "Make it a great day."