Donald Ray Telford
Don was born on August 6, 1946 in Corvallis, Oregon to James A. and Leah L. (Heltzel) Telford. He lived in Oregon and California until 1954 when his family moved to Alaska and settled in Anchorage. It was there that Don grew into adulthood. In 1968 he joined his family who had moved to Boise, Idaho a few years earlier. After moving back to Alaska, living a short while in Klamath Falls, Oregon and Mountain Home, Idaho he moved back to Boise where he lived the remainder of his years. Don served in the Army Reserve in the early 70’s. He attended the University of Alaska and Oregon Technical Institute.
Don married Shirley Amick in 1968. They had one son, Gregory and he adopted his first daughter, Natalie. That marriage ended in divorce. In 1972 Don married Reme Mendiola. They had two children, James and Melissa. They were divorced in 2006. In 2021 Don married Lori Williams and became a father to her two children Naomi and Austin.
Don was a jack of all trades. He spent his life working in a variety of industries (grocery, automobile, beverage, music, property management, craftsmanship) where he was able to put his multiple talents to use. He had an excellent work ethic and believed in doing things the “right” way (which was always “his” way). Don retired from his role as a maintenance craftsman at Boise State University in 2018. After retirement he spent time with his family and cats, traveling, and participating in many car events with his beloved Porsches.
Don was all about cars. Mention any car type and he would proceed to rattle off a litany of technical specifications long past the attention span of the listener. Put Don behind the wheel of any car and stand by for Don to put his foot to the floor and disappear in din of squealing tires and a cloud of burning rubber. Don loved to repair the cars he had driven that way but not before they sat outside, not running, on blocks to maybe be fixed another day. In Don’s later years he decided to turn his auto loyalty to Porsches and he had several (at a time). He once received an award from the local Porsche Club for hoarding so many Porsches. Don was an active member of the local Porsche club.
Don also enjoyed spending time in nature (naming every tree around) and cutting firewood. You might be driving along a dirt road in Idaho’s backwoods and get passed by an old pickup sporting the bumper sticker ‘EAT MY DUST’. That would have been old Don as he was headed to cut his annual load of firewood.
Don lived a simple life. He was an adventurous, busy body who always had a project. He was a creative “closet” writer and had an eloquent way with written words and a tender heart that was masked by his tough and stubborn ways. Don was funny and witty and could find a way to make a crude and inappropriate joke out of any situation. Although he was compassionate, he was a living B.S. detector who wasn’t afraid to call people out and speak his mind. He loved his family, rock and roll music, motors, trees, and cats. He was proud of his children and grandchildren and often talked about the legacy he was leaving behind through them.
Don passed away peacefully at home on September 14, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents Jim and Leah, his son Greg and his former wife Reme. He is survived by his brothers Marty (Carol) and Steve, his wife Lori and stepchildren Naomi and Austin, adopted daughter Natalie (Ron), and biological children James (Kimberli) and Melissa (David), grandchildren Samantha (Skyler), Makayla, Amaya (Tyler), Zachary, Drayson, and Eliana, great granddaughters Isla, Margo, and Beaux, and a soon to be great grandson.
A graveside service will be held at Dry Creek Cemetery on Friday September 27th at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a local animal charity in Don’s name.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.