Grover Edward Poppleton

Grover Edward “Ed” Poppleton, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 5, 2025.

Born on January 7, 1945, in Pocatello, Idaho, to James and Loucille Poppleton. Ed grew up in Glenns Ferry, where he graduated from Glenns Ferry High School in 1963. Ed Began college with a full ride scholarship playing football at Brigham Young University for one year. He then transferred to the University of Idaho and joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity where he met lifelong friends and remained a Vandal through and through. In 1969, Ed earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business.

Ed proudly served his country in the United States Army, and experience that shaped his character and deepened his sense of duty. While at the University of Idaho, Ed was a ROTC Cadet in the University of Idaho Detachment. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on January 31, 1969, in Moscow, Idaho. Ed was called to Active Duty from United States Army Reserve to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for Officers Basic Training. He was then sent to South Korea and attached to the 4th Battalion, 76th Field Artillery Unit as a Forward Observer with the 7th Infantry Division in the DMZ. For the remainer of his deployment, Ed was deployed to Camp Casey Firing Battery, 7th Infantry Division. During his deployment, Ed was promoted to First Lieutenant on January 31, 1970. He was then redeployed to Fort Riley, Kansas, 1st Admin Company, 1st Infantry Division. Ed was Honorably Discharged on January 31, 1971. During his time of service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea).

On November 27, 1971, Ed married LeIle Estes, and together they welcomed two daughters, Ami and Sara. Later, on February 18,1989, Ed married Debbie Allen, with whom he shared many joyful years together. Ed was very proud of his girls and grandson. He felt so blessed to have them in his life and to have two wonderful sons-in-law.

Throughout his life, Ed found his greatest joy in the outdoors. He loved playing football, skiing, hiking, hunting, camping, and most of all, his passion for fly fishing. With Ed’s passion for fly fishing and tying his own flies, he loved to find a new stream or lake in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska or Canada.

Ed devoted his life to the Lord and recently reconfirmed his faith with a special baptism with his family and friends. Ed’s memory lives on and he will be greatly missed. Ed is survived by his loving wife, Debbie; his daughters Ami Poppleton (John Eastman) and Sara Poppleton (Jason McGlynn); his grandson Jarrod Poppleton; step granddaughter Amanda (David) Griffin; his siblings, Loraine Arrillaga, Beverly (Russell) Sion, Sam Blackwell, Bruce Poppleton, and Beth Mikulanis; his siblings-in-law, Richard (Sharon) Allen, Linda (Joe) Weeks, Carey Miner, and many loving extended family members. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Loucile Davis (1983) and James Poppleton (2014); and one sister, Loucile Elizabeth “Beth” Miner (2015).

A celebration of Ed’s life will be held at a later date. His final resting place will be at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the Meridian EMTs, the Meridian Fire Department, and the staff at the Boise VA Medical Center for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the FSHD Society, www.fshdsociety.org, PO Box 411617, Boston MA 02241-1617, the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org, PO Box 6704 Hagerston, MD 21741, or the Idaho Veteran’s Research and Education Foundation, ivref.org, 500 West Fort Street building 117, MS 151, Boise, ID 83702, or the charity of your choice.

“Ed, Dad, Grandpa – your spirit flows near, like the gentle current of a beloved stream. One day, we’ll cast our lines together again. Until then, your love will remain forever in our hearts.”