Reed Lemons

Dad passed peacefully to the next life on the morning of Friday, March 24, 2017. He was born July 26, 1941, the fifth child of David and Olive Lemons.

His early years were spent living between Minnesota, Heyburn, Idaho, and Idaho Falls. His family located permanently to Idaho Falls where he attended schools at O.E. Bell Jr. High and Idaho Falls High School. When his father died in 1959, Reed and his brothers were required to go to work full time in order to help the family. He remained at Lemons House Moving the rest of his life. He chased a local girl, Toni Case, for a while and they married in May of 1959. The young couple moved to Ucon, had three children, and built a life together.

Other than family and friends, Reed’s passions were house moving and restoring old trucks. He was dedicated to both of his crafts. His ability to work countless hours, day after day, year after year is truly legendary. To dad, eight o’clock in the morning was "half the day is over" and quitting time was when the work was done. Hard work took a toll on dad through the years especially on his hands. We always made fun of his big ol’ broken hands. You certainly didn’t want to get hit by one. He had a dry wit and a good sense of humor which endeared the old fart to many. He was a natural "engineer" with superb street smarts and creativity enabling him to figure out and fix just about anything. He built his first car at the age of 13 which began a life time of love for anything with a motor. His pride and joy were his 1926 International chain drive truck and his numerous Diamond T trucks which he loved talking about and taking to truck shows all over the country.

His "old school" work ethic and attitude will be missed. He wanted everyone to work hard, do their job, be responsible for themselves, and make a difference. There are communities all over the West, big and small, that have shaped by the hard work of dad and his brothers. The one compliment of dad that I will never forget is, "Your dad is the word work with shoes on."

Later in life, dad found his spirituality and became more active in the LDS church. He assisted in scouting and enjoyed helping out anyway he could.

He is survived by his four sisters, Joy Kirby and Deanie Mendes both of Idaho Falls, Janie (George) Byram of Rigby, and Judy (Dan) Rooney of New Mexico; and two brothers, David (Patsy) Lemons of Idaho Falls and Bruce (Allene) Lemons of Salt Lake City; and his children, Mattie (Wayne) Barney of Kerrville, Texas, Sonny (Mary) Lemons of Ucon, and Ben (Liz) Lemons of Rigby; six grandchildren, Dasha, Brandis, Halston (Didi), Airelle (Erik), Lea, and Dawson; and six great grandchildren, Mason, Hannah, Ryleigh, Raiden, Javery and Finnley. He was preceded in death by his mother Olive, father David, brothers, Hap & Mike, and the love of his life, Toni.

A private memorial service will be held Monday, March 27th – "nothing big, don’t fuss over me when I am gone," he would often say. In lieu of flowers, please go to the nearest truck stop or café and buy a cup of coffee for a stranger and just enjoy the moment.

The family wishes to thank all the friends and family who loved Reed along the way. You truly touched his heart. A special thanks to the Rusty Lantern staff in Ucon, John Holst and his family, LDS Ucon Ward, Deloy Meppen, his truck show friends all across the country, and his four lovely and doting sisters for their kindness and friendship towards dad. He cherished all of his friends and family.

Private Family Services. He passed away on