Val Doney

Horace Val Doney, 93, passed away May 28, 2021, in Rigby, Idaho.

Val was born December 31, 1927, in Franklin, Idaho, to Horace and Leora Doney.

He married Jeanine Bradford on September 25, 1950. They were later divorced.

Val is survived by his sister, Elaine (Willard) Jessop; brother, Wyn K (Susan) Doney; children: Kurt Val (Geraldine) Doney, Kevin H (Tracey) Doney, Leanne (Clark) Noble, and Lisa (Curtis) Bateman; 19 grandchildren; and an ever-growing number of great and great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Darrell K Doney; Kurt’s wife, Geraldine; son, Larry Dean; and his wife, Jolene Doney.

Val attended elementary through high school in Franklin, Idaho.

He was recruited by Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, and played Fullback on the football team there for a season. He served in the Army towards the end of World War II in Japan. Following the Army, he worked as a Lineman for the Bell Telephone Company.

Later, Val began work in the food service industry. He always had an entrepreneurial spirit and owned restaurants including the Skylark Café, which became locally famous for his scones and deep-fried/roasted chicken.

After selling the restaurant, Val worked at Lee’s Marine. In order to learn how to repair and service snowmobiles and outboard motors, he hitchhiked to training in California. Val worked for Lee until he bought the business. It became "The Boat Shop," which he ran for 40 years.

Val was an avid fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed wintering in Overton, Nevada. He was skilled with his hands. He enjoyed woodworking, including making toys for his grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 5, 2021, at Ammon Cemetery, 5226 East Sunnyside Road. The family will visit with friends from 12:30-1:30 p.m. prior to services at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road.