Lon Vincent Boothby

Lon Vincent Boothby

October 15, 1958 - January 30, 2019

Lon Boothby of Deary, Idaho passed away January 30, 2019 from sudden heart complications. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a man of great character, deep kindness and generosity, and loving humor.

Lon was born October 15, 1958 in Paw Paw, Michigan to Fred C. and Eloise (Gerard) Boothby. He attended Gobles Junior Academy in Gobles, MI and Kalamazoo Junior Academy, in Kalamazoo, MI. He graduated from high school at Cedar Lake Academy, in Cedar Lake, Michigan in 1977. He continued his education at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, completing his Assoc. of Science degree in Electronics in 1980.

While at the university, he met Jody Ann Dickinson, who was studying Nursing. They were married on August 19, 1979 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After the couple’s graduations, they moved to Ohio where he worked in electronics and later opened their own business, Boothby Electronics, a full-service retail & repair store, located in Ottawa, Ohio. Lon and Jody also gave birth to their three children, Charles, Carrie and Katie, while living in Ottawa.

In 1985, Lon was offered the position of Associate Publishing Director for the Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He worked overseeing the sales of Christian books in Ohio until the family moved to Deary, Idaho in 1989. Lon continued his work in book sales in Idaho and Washington working for the Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists thru 1990. The family then moved to Moscow Idaho, where Lon earned his realtor’s license and sold real estate for Latah Realty, later on working for Windermere when the family relocated to Spokane, WA. In 2003, he returned to real estate sales in Moscow, again with Latah Realty, working as an agent until 2007, when he started his current, family-owned and operated business, The Cycle Barn; a web-based, new and used motorcycle parts store.

Lon was known for his lifelong love of aviation; earning his private pilot’s license and over the years owning and restoring several experimental planes. He frequently flew his experimental, Piper Pacer plane with his family, throughout the northwest. His skill with all things mechanical or electronic were well known throughout the community and he often used those talents to help his family and others in need. Lon had an easy laugh and a great sense of humor. He was known to often plan elaborate pranks on his close friends and family. His close-knit family was the great joy of his life and his five grandchildren were in his life daily. Lon loved to create fun experiences for his grandchildren, helping to build play structures, zip-lines or just having epic Nerf-gun battles. He also enjoyed teaching his grandkids practical skills, which they might use throughout their lives. His grandkids also claim he gave the best backrubs. A romantic at heart,

 Lon would often still arrive home with flowers, always opened car doors, and was generally holding hands with Jody, if she was within his reach. Lon was a beloved and involved member of the Troy Seventh-Day Adventist Church where he served in many capacities and as an Elder. His service to his church and his selfless friendship to his wider community was remarkable and will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his loving wife Jody, of nearly 40 years; son Charlie (Lisa) of Deary, and daughters, Carrie (Heath) Trujillo of Troy, and Katie (Ron) Uyeyama of Sacramento, CA. He also leaves his grandchildren; Caleb (11), Hayden (10), Landon (9), Cayllie (7) and Hope (3). He is also survived by his mother, Eloise Boothby of Gobles, MI; sister Carla Boothby of Paw Paw, MI; brother Fred D. (Sandy) of Gobles, and his twin brother Ron (Janelle) also of Gobles. He was preceded in death by his father, Fred C. Boothby in 2012.

The public is welcomed to a viewing to be held at Short’s Funeral Chapel, in Moscow, Idaho on Friday, Feb 8th from 4:30 to 8 p.m. The family plans to hold A Celebration of Life memorial service, date yet to be determined, later in the spring. Lon will be laid to rest at the Beulah Cemetery in Troy, ID.

Should you wish to send an expression of support or gift to the family, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/the-boothby-family-fund

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