Lee James Earl

During the evening of June 12th, 2025, at 6:50 p.m., while hand in hand with his children, Lee James Earl passed away at the age of 90.

Lee was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Lee & Mabel Earl. Lee had one brother, Dennis Earl. He was predeceased by all three. As an infant, the family relocated to Idaho. Early childhood was spent in Kuna and Caldwell while his parents worked in the Earl Sausage business. In 1944, they moved to Idaho City, Idaho, where his parents took ownership and operated Lee’s Café and Bar. Lee completed elementary and middle school in Idaho City. He attended Meridian High School, where he graduated, class of 1953. During his senior year, he played football and joined the 190th Fighter Squadron as an aircraft mechanic.

Lee became a member of the I.B.E.W. (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) and worked his entire 43-year career in this industry. Lee started as an apprentice lineman with Idaho Power Co. He quickly moved up the ranks to foreman. He worked at Idaho Power approximately 18 years, climbing poles and managing crews who built the high-tension powerlines that bring us the electricity we use today. In 1972, Lee joined Pacific Power & Light Co. and relocated to Crescent City, California. In 1978, he relocated to the Grants Pass, Oregon, office, where he finished out 25 years and retired in 1997.

Lee and Darlene were married in 1956. Together they had four children. He was predeceased by Darlene and son Craig. Lee is survived by daughter Lonnie Hope (Dale) of Meridian, Idaho; son Trent Earl (Valarie) of Auburn, California; and son Greg Earl (Yvette) of Boise, Idaho. Lee is also survived by eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

Lee was very talented with his hands and possessed unique skills to build or fix anything! For any project, he would say, “Make sure to be square & plumb.” He had lifelong hobbies that he relished even into his advanced age. Lee was a self-taught musician who played many instruments. Ultimately, he chose bass guitar, where, for many years, he played in country music bands. Lee loved flying. He successfully got his pilot’s license and was so proud to own a Cessna 172. However, Lee’s greatest love was restoring old cars, especially hot rods. His goal was to get them to driving condition and just enjoy them! He loved car shows, rod runs, and cruising in his 1934 Ford pickup or 1930 Ford Model A.

After decades apart and upon relocating to Emmett in 2016, Lee reconnected and spent his last nine “golden years” with a very special lady, Alyce Austin Milstead. Their love story began with a high school date back in 1952 and picked up again through a simple Facebook message in 2015. They shared laughter, hobbies, and enjoyed reminiscing about the past. They traveled occasionally and split time between Boise & Emmett. Their bond brought joy not only to each other but to their families and friends as well. These cherished memories will live on forever.

As Lee progressed in years, he frequently used his late mother’s favorite saying (Mabel, 101 yrs old): “Old age ain’t no joke”!!

Lee/Dad, may the Hawaiian rainbows you witnessed and loved be forever arching over you!! RIP until we meet again!