Robert C. Emmons, 94, one of the last of the remaining members of The Greatest Generation, passed peacefully at his home on July 6, 2016. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend, and a great American Patriot. He died the way he lived with courage, faith and dignity.
To honor him a memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 11, 2016 at Thomason Funeral Home in Weiser.
Bob was born August 29, 1921 into the large family of Samuel and Nellie Emmons in a log cabin on The Little Big Horn River near Hardin, Montana.
His family moved to Ontario, Oregon in 1937, where he then attended Ontario High School excelling in running track and basketball. After graduation in 1940, he attended Lewis and Clark College, University of Washington, Murray State Teachers College and Mesa Junior College in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Always patriotic, he joined the Navy in 1942 and served in WWII where he became the Quartermaster 3rd Class aboard the U.S.S. Massachusetts in July of 1944. He steered the flagship of a task force of 8 ships. It was during this time he steered his battleship in a typhoon off the coast of Okinawa where the lowest barometer ever recorded at that time registered at 25.55. Three destroyers were lost and 800 people drowned. After that storm these ships were scattered 400 miles. Bob was aboard the Massachusetts at the entrance to Tokyo Bay while the Surrender was being signed September 2, 1945 on the U.S.S. Missouri. He accumulated 8 battle stars and saw considerable action in such operations as the invasion of Peleliu, The Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Including Bob, four Emmons brothers were in the war at the same time, two in the Navy and two in the Army.
He married LaRene Hurd in 1946 and they had two daughters, Dianne and Susan. He instilled in his daughters a strong work ethic and family love and loyalty. In 1949 he moved his family to Garden Grove, California where he managed a large grocery store which was part of a 12 store chain. But Bob longed to go home to Idaho. In 1954 they purchased a building in Weiser and began U-Tel-Em Market with his brother and wife, Homer and Valerie Emmons. The brothers and their wives spent many years together in the grocery business.
Bob and LaRene enjoyed many golfing vacations and playing duplicate bridge. LaRene passed away after 49 years of marriage.
He served on the Weiser School Board for ten years, eight of which he was Chairman and instrumental in the building of Weiser High School. Bob served 10 years on the Weiser City Council. He was also a member of The Rolling Hills Golf Association in Weiser and for a while prided himself as the oldest golfer on the course. He was Vice Chairman of Associated Food Stores in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1983 he was chosen as a Washington County Distinguished Citizen by the Weiser Chamber of Commerce for his years of service to the community.
Bob was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Weiser and later a belonged to The Weiser Community Church. Most recently he attended the Church of the Nazarene.
During his life he was an avid contract bridge player amassing over 600 Master Points and teaching countless others to play duplicate bridge.
Always a sports fan, he followed Weiser High School athletics and he loved his Boise State Bronco Football. Bob once said, “I love the grocery business, I love the people, and I love Weiser.”
In 1997 he married Betty Raney who brought energy and meaning to his life once again. In their 19 years together they enjoyed traveling. They loved Hawaii and went there often. They enjoyed gardening and had a lovely yard. Dad especially loved his roses. Throughout his life, he never lost his great sense of humor or sharp wit.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; four brothers; and wife, LaRene.
He leaves a legacy of daughters: Dianne (Rick) Jurries, of Weiser and Susan (Gene) Bobo, of Eagle; two cherished grandchildren: Brad Jurries (Stephanie), of Craig, AK, and Jill Jurries and husband, Christian Collins, of Boise; three great-granddaughters: Teal Jurries, and Piper and Mackenzie Collins; and brother, Bill, of Ontario, OR.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; and Betty's family: daughter, Darla (Jim) Harberd, and grandchildren: Chad (Kaye) Harberd - Sam & Stella, Tobe (Mikaila) Harberd - Ruby & Oliver, Lacey (Jeremy) Yraguen – Chloe, Jasi, & Blakely, Chase (Sami Jo) Harberd.
Memorials may be made to Hope House, 7696 Old Bruneau Hwy, P. O. Box 550, Marsing, ID 83639, or to Weiser High School Athletics.
Arrangements under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home.
To honor him a memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 11, 2016 at Thomason Funeral Home in Weiser.
Bob was born August 29, 1921 into the large family of Samuel and Nellie Emmons in a log cabin on The Little Big Horn River near Hardin, Montana.
His family moved to Ontario, Oregon in 1937, where he then attended Ontario High School excelling in running track and basketball. After graduation in 1940, he attended Lewis and Clark College, University of Washington, Murray State Teachers College and Mesa Junior College in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Always patriotic, he joined the Navy in 1942 and served in WWII where he became the Quartermaster 3rd Class aboard the U.S.S. Massachusetts in July of 1944. He steered the flagship of a task force of 8 ships. It was during this time he steered his battleship in a typhoon off the coast of Okinawa where the lowest barometer ever recorded at that time registered at 25.55. Three destroyers were lost and 800 people drowned. After that storm these ships were scattered 400 miles. Bob was aboard the Massachusetts at the entrance to Tokyo Bay while the Surrender was being signed September 2, 1945 on the U.S.S. Missouri. He accumulated 8 battle stars and saw considerable action in such operations as the invasion of Peleliu, The Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Including Bob, four Emmons brothers were in the war at the same time, two in the Navy and two in the Army.
He married LaRene Hurd in 1946 and they had two daughters, Dianne and Susan. He instilled in his daughters a strong work ethic and family love and loyalty. In 1949 he moved his family to Garden Grove, California where he managed a large grocery store which was part of a 12 store chain. But Bob longed to go home to Idaho. In 1954 they purchased a building in Weiser and began U-Tel-Em Market with his brother and wife, Homer and Valerie Emmons. The brothers and their wives spent many years together in the grocery business.
Bob and LaRene enjoyed many golfing vacations and playing duplicate bridge. LaRene passed away after 49 years of marriage.
He served on the Weiser School Board for ten years, eight of which he was Chairman and instrumental in the building of Weiser High School. Bob served 10 years on the Weiser City Council. He was also a member of The Rolling Hills Golf Association in Weiser and for a while prided himself as the oldest golfer on the course. He was Vice Chairman of Associated Food Stores in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1983 he was chosen as a Washington County Distinguished Citizen by the Weiser Chamber of Commerce for his years of service to the community.
Bob was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Weiser and later a belonged to The Weiser Community Church. Most recently he attended the Church of the Nazarene.
During his life he was an avid contract bridge player amassing over 600 Master Points and teaching countless others to play duplicate bridge.
Always a sports fan, he followed Weiser High School athletics and he loved his Boise State Bronco Football. Bob once said, “I love the grocery business, I love the people, and I love Weiser.”
In 1997 he married Betty Raney who brought energy and meaning to his life once again. In their 19 years together they enjoyed traveling. They loved Hawaii and went there often. They enjoyed gardening and had a lovely yard. Dad especially loved his roses. Throughout his life, he never lost his great sense of humor or sharp wit.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; four brothers; and wife, LaRene.
He leaves a legacy of daughters: Dianne (Rick) Jurries, of Weiser and Susan (Gene) Bobo, of Eagle; two cherished grandchildren: Brad Jurries (Stephanie), of Craig, AK, and Jill Jurries and husband, Christian Collins, of Boise; three great-granddaughters: Teal Jurries, and Piper and Mackenzie Collins; and brother, Bill, of Ontario, OR.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; and Betty's family: daughter, Darla (Jim) Harberd, and grandchildren: Chad (Kaye) Harberd - Sam & Stella, Tobe (Mikaila) Harberd - Ruby & Oliver, Lacey (Jeremy) Yraguen – Chloe, Jasi, & Blakely, Chase (Sami Jo) Harberd.
Memorials may be made to Hope House, 7696 Old Bruneau Hwy, P. O. Box 550, Marsing, ID 83639, or to Weiser High School Athletics.
Arrangements under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home.
Robert C. Emmons, 94, one of the last of the remaining members of The Greatest Generation, passed peacefully at his home on July 6, 2016. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend, and a great American Patriot. He died the way he lived with courage, faith and dignity.
To honor him a memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 11, 2016 at Thomason Funeral Home in Weiser.
Bob was born August 29, 1921 into the large family of Samuel and Nellie Emmons in a log cabin on The Little Big Horn River near Hardin, Montana.
His family moved to Ontario, Oregon in 1937, where he then attended Ontario High School excelling in running track and basketball. After graduation in 1940, he attended Lewis and Clark College, University of Washington, Murray State Teachers College and Mesa Junior College in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Always patriotic, he joined the Navy in 1942 and served in WWII where he became the Quartermaster 3rd Class aboard the U.S.S. Massachusetts in July of 1944. He steered the flagship of a task force of 8 ships. It was during this time he steered his battleship in a typhoon off the coast of Okinawa where the lowest barometer ever recorded at that time registered at 25.55. Three destroyers were lost and 800 people drowned. After that storm these ships were scattered 400 miles. Bob was aboard the Massachusetts at the entrance to Tokyo Bay while the Surrender was being signed September 2, 1945 on the U.S.S. Missouri. He accumulated 8 battle stars and saw considerable action in such operations as the invasion of Peleliu, The Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Including Bob, four Emmons brothers were in the war at the same time, two in the Navy and two in the Army.
He married LaRene Hurd in 1946 and they had two daughters, Dianne and Susan. He instilled in his daughters a strong work ethic and family love and loyalty. In 1949 he moved his family to Garden Grove, California where he managed a large grocery store which was part of a 12 store chain. But Bob longed to go home to Idaho. In 1954 they purchased a building in Weiser and began U-Tel-Em Market with his brother and wife, Homer and Valerie Emmons. The brothers and their wives spent many years together in the grocery business.
Bob and LaRene enjoyed many golfing vacations and playing duplicate bridge. LaRene passed away after 49 years of marriage.
He served on the Weiser School Board for ten years, eight of which he was Chairman and instrumental in the building of Weiser High School. Bob served 10 years on the Weiser City Council. He was also a member of The Rolling Hills Golf Association in Weiser and for a while prided himself as the oldest golfer on the course. He was Vice Chairman of Associated Food Stores in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1983 he was chosen as a Washington County Distinguished Citizen by the Weiser Chamber of Commerce for his years of service to the community.
Bob was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Weiser and later a belonged to The Weiser Community Church. Most recently he attended the Church of the Nazarene.
During his life he was an avid contract bridge player amassing over 600 Master Points and teaching countless others to play duplicate bridge.
Always a sports fan, he followed Weiser High School athletics and he loved his Boise State Bronco Football. Bob once said, “I love the grocery business, I love the people, and I love Weiser.”
In 1997 he married Betty Raney who brought energy and meaning to his life once again. In their 19 years together they enjoyed traveling. They loved Hawaii and went there often. They enjoyed gardening and had a lovely yard. Dad especially loved his roses. Throughout his life, he never lost his great sense of humor or sharp wit.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; four brothers; and wife, LaRene.
He leaves a legacy of daughters: Dianne (Rick) Jurries, of Weiser and Susan (Gene) Bobo, of Eagle; two cherished grandchildren: Brad Jurries (Stephanie), of Craig, AK, and Jill Jurries and husband, Christian Collins, of Boise; three great-granddaughters: Teal Jurries, and Piper and Mackenzie Collins; and brother, Bill, of Ontario, OR.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; and Betty's family: daughter, Darla (Jim) Harberd, and grandchildren: Chad (Kaye) Harberd - Sam & Stella, Tobe (Mikaila) Harberd - Ruby & Oliver, Lacey (Jeremy) Yraguen – Chloe, Jasi, & Blakely, Chase (Sami Jo) Harberd.
Memorials may be made to Hope House, 7696 Old Bruneau Hwy, P. O. Box 550, Marsing, ID 83639, or to Weiser High School Athletics.
Arrangements under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home.
To honor him a memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 11, 2016 at Thomason Funeral Home in Weiser.
Bob was born August 29, 1921 into the large family of Samuel and Nellie Emmons in a log cabin on The Little Big Horn River near Hardin, Montana.
His family moved to Ontario, Oregon in 1937, where he then attended Ontario High School excelling in running track and basketball. After graduation in 1940, he attended Lewis and Clark College, University of Washington, Murray State Teachers College and Mesa Junior College in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Always patriotic, he joined the Navy in 1942 and served in WWII where he became the Quartermaster 3rd Class aboard the U.S.S. Massachusetts in July of 1944. He steered the flagship of a task force of 8 ships. It was during this time he steered his battleship in a typhoon off the coast of Okinawa where the lowest barometer ever recorded at that time registered at 25.55. Three destroyers were lost and 800 people drowned. After that storm these ships were scattered 400 miles. Bob was aboard the Massachusetts at the entrance to Tokyo Bay while the Surrender was being signed September 2, 1945 on the U.S.S. Missouri. He accumulated 8 battle stars and saw considerable action in such operations as the invasion of Peleliu, The Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Including Bob, four Emmons brothers were in the war at the same time, two in the Navy and two in the Army.
He married LaRene Hurd in 1946 and they had two daughters, Dianne and Susan. He instilled in his daughters a strong work ethic and family love and loyalty. In 1949 he moved his family to Garden Grove, California where he managed a large grocery store which was part of a 12 store chain. But Bob longed to go home to Idaho. In 1954 they purchased a building in Weiser and began U-Tel-Em Market with his brother and wife, Homer and Valerie Emmons. The brothers and their wives spent many years together in the grocery business.
Bob and LaRene enjoyed many golfing vacations and playing duplicate bridge. LaRene passed away after 49 years of marriage.
He served on the Weiser School Board for ten years, eight of which he was Chairman and instrumental in the building of Weiser High School. Bob served 10 years on the Weiser City Council. He was also a member of The Rolling Hills Golf Association in Weiser and for a while prided himself as the oldest golfer on the course. He was Vice Chairman of Associated Food Stores in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1983 he was chosen as a Washington County Distinguished Citizen by the Weiser Chamber of Commerce for his years of service to the community.
Bob was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Weiser and later a belonged to The Weiser Community Church. Most recently he attended the Church of the Nazarene.
During his life he was an avid contract bridge player amassing over 600 Master Points and teaching countless others to play duplicate bridge.
Always a sports fan, he followed Weiser High School athletics and he loved his Boise State Bronco Football. Bob once said, “I love the grocery business, I love the people, and I love Weiser.”
In 1997 he married Betty Raney who brought energy and meaning to his life once again. In their 19 years together they enjoyed traveling. They loved Hawaii and went there often. They enjoyed gardening and had a lovely yard. Dad especially loved his roses. Throughout his life, he never lost his great sense of humor or sharp wit.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; four brothers; and wife, LaRene.
He leaves a legacy of daughters: Dianne (Rick) Jurries, of Weiser and Susan (Gene) Bobo, of Eagle; two cherished grandchildren: Brad Jurries (Stephanie), of Craig, AK, and Jill Jurries and husband, Christian Collins, of Boise; three great-granddaughters: Teal Jurries, and Piper and Mackenzie Collins; and brother, Bill, of Ontario, OR.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; and Betty's family: daughter, Darla (Jim) Harberd, and grandchildren: Chad (Kaye) Harberd - Sam & Stella, Tobe (Mikaila) Harberd - Ruby & Oliver, Lacey (Jeremy) Yraguen – Chloe, Jasi, & Blakely, Chase (Sami Jo) Harberd.
Memorials may be made to Hope House, 7696 Old Bruneau Hwy, P. O. Box 550, Marsing, ID 83639, or to Weiser High School Athletics.
Arrangements under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home.
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