Richard J. Scarborough

Richard Jerome Scarborough, 80, of Ammon, Idaho, died on December 31, 2025, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. The apparent cause of death was heart failure, but unofficially, it’s rumored he died of a broken heart after his beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish lacked the courage to face the BYU Cougars in the Pop Tarts Bowl earlier in the week.

Richard came into this world on September 24, 1945, in Hailey, Idaho, the fourth child of Thelma Luella Koehling and John Willard Scarborough. He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was sixteen. After graduating from Hailey High School in 1963, he enlisted in the United States Army as a stenographer. He served in the Army for more than nine years, including in Vietnam during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Star for his “outstandingly meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force.” He also received a Purple Heart for being wounded in action against enemies of the United States.

He met his wife, Carol Ann Stuart, as a pen pal while he was serving in Vietnam. They were married for eternity in the Logan Temple on March 30, 1973. Judging by the number of roses he sent every year on her birthday, Valentine’s Day, their anniversary, and sometimes just because, he was deeply and madly in love with her during the course of their 53 years of marriage.

Richard enjoyed genealogy, at times traveling across the country to visit cemeteries, churches, and libraries to track down the records of this or that family member from generations ago. His home office has, for years, been filled to overflowing with the results of his extensive genealogical escapades. Richard was also a passionate fan of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish football. The missionaries managed to convince him to change his religion, but they never could convince him to change his football team. Above all else, he loved his family, including his children and grandchildren, and he cultivated a mischievous smile alongside his tender and giving heart. His family will miss him deeply.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Carol, of Ammon, Idaho, and their six children: Crystal Scarborough of Idaho Falls; Daniel Scarborough of Chico, California; Patrick Scarborough of Chico, California; Philip Scarborough of Rocklin, California; David Scarborough of Cottonwood, Arizona; and Cassandra Hale of Pocatello, Idaho. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Lance of Meridian, Idaho; his eighteen grandchildren; one great grandchild; and at least five grand-dogs.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Thelma Scarborough, and his siblings, Wilbur, Ressie, Virginia, Barbara, Kermit, Billy, Russell, Thelma, Kathryn, and Jim.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, located at 963 South Ammon Road in Ammon, Idaho. The family invites all who knew Richard to visit with them on Friday, prior to the service, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Richard will be laid to rest at the Ammon Cemetery, with Military Honors performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, Richard requested that donations be made to a veterans’ organization. The family suggests either Army Emergency Relief, www.armyemergencyrelief.org, or the Warrior Program at Champ’s Heart, www.champsheart.org.

Services will be broadcast live on this page.