Michael Davidson House

Michael D. House, 88, of Star, Idaho, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026.

Mike was born in 1937 in Boise to Edgar and Dora Davidson House. He grew up in Boise’s North End and was a proud lifelong Idahoan. During his early years he could usually be found riding bikes, starting shenanigans, and causing a little general chaos with his best friends since second grade, Paul Bockman and Gwain Gould.

He loved spending time with his grandparents on the Davidson Ranch in Meridian and with aunts, uncles, and cousins in Eagle. Summers were often spent trailing sheep and cattle between his grandparents’ farm in Meridian and their ranch in Cascade, Idaho. Those experiences became the stories Mike would tell for the rest of his life, usually with that perfect timing and a little sparkle that made you lean in. He was happiest when he was surrounded by good people and had a good story to tell.

After graduating from Boise High School in 1956, Mike enlisted in the U.S. Navy. When he returned to Boise, he spent some time car racing and operating heavy equipment before joining the Boise Police Department in 1960. It is a little ironic that a troublemaker with a twinkle in his eye grew up to protect and serve as one of Boise’s finest.

Mike served with the Boise Police Department for 31 years and built countless relationships with fellow officers and people throughout the community. He probably made a few enemies along the way too. It often seemed like he knew someone everywhere he went. He genuinely enjoyed people and had a way of making everyone feel comfortable. It took quite a bit to get him worked up. More often than not he handled things with humor. His humor could ease a tense moment and later turn into one of his classic stories that people would still be laughing about years later. Mike didn’t need any flair; his stories were enough on their own.

One night Mike stopped by a friend’s party on Warm Springs Boulevard to say hello, only to leave and discover Iris Elder and her friend attempting to steal his patrol car. Their 60 year adventure began right then and there.

For their first date, Iris wore a beautiful knee length black silk dress with heels and gloves. Being the romantic that he was, Mike took her to dinner at Manley’s Café. They sat on well worn barstools along a formica counter, and the night ended at the dirt track races at Meridian Speedway. Iris often said she was covered in dirt from head to toe by the end of that first date.

Mike and Iris were married in Boise in 1962. Their daughter Brenda was born in 1966. The Three Musketeers were complete! They spent many years in North Boise and later Eagle. Mike was a Brownies, Girl Scout, 4-H, FFA, and horse dad. He was the kind of dad who could fix just about anything. If something broke, Brenda knew to bring it to Mike, and more often than not he would have it working again before long.

A lifelong car enthusiast, Mike had a passion for hot rods and spent many years involved in local car clubs and rod runs. He attended countless car shows and deeply valued the friendships he built through the car community. Following retirement, Mike and Iris traveled extensively across the country in their RV. They later spent summers in Cascade, Idaho on the family place and winters in Yuma, Arizona.

Mike and Iris loved having friends, neighbors, and family over to visit. Their homes were always full of barbecues, laughter, and people dropping by. In Yuma, Mike became well known for hosting the first Idaho Steak Feed. Everyone arrived expecting steak, only to be directed to a baked potato bar. Mike got a big kick out of it, and it became a tradition.

Their retirement years were filled with adventure, antiques, friendships, and plenty of laughter. Mike and Iris were married for 60 years before Iris passed away in 2022. He missed her every day.

He stayed connected with the people he loved and was always quick to pick up the phone for a good conversation. He dearly loved his brothers and sisters in law and enjoyed trips to visit them in Colorado. Later in life he looked forward to the House Cousin lunches. For more than a year they gathered regularly to share meals, tell stories, and reminisce about family history, especially memories of his parents and grandparents. As an only child, Mike treasured his aunts, uncles, and cousins and the close family ties they shared.

Mike was also particular about where he lived in the Treasure Valley because of his deep family roots. Even when it came time to sell the RV and the house in Yuma, the only reason he agreed to live south of the Boise River was because the house they found in Meridian sat on land that had once been part of his grandparents’ place, the Davidson Ranch. Later his assisted living homes were both north of the river, which was exactly where he preferred to be. Those things mattered to Mike. Family roots mattered.

Family was everything to Mike. He adored his two granddaughters, Kelsey and Carly, and loved making them laugh and teaching them about fishing, cars, and life. He also shared his love of cribbage, the woods, and huckleberry picking, creating memories that will be treasured always.

Big Mike was a big man with a heart that matched his stature. Known for his humor, his stories, and his easygoing nature, he had a way of making people feel welcome and bringing everyone together. He spent a lifetime collecting friends and toy cars, telling stories, and making people laugh. He looked forward to being reunited with Iris and will be remembered with great love by everyone who knew him. If you were lucky enough to know Mike, you probably have a story about him too.

Mike is survived by his daughter Brenda and son in law Bruce of Star, Idaho; his granddaughters Kelsey Weaver of Denver, Colorado, and Carly Jordan and her husband Zach of Cascade, Idaho. He is also fondly remembered by his brother in law Bill Elder and his wife Jean, along with four nieces and one nephew (and their spouses) in Colorado.

A service celebrating Mike’s life will be held at Eagle Christian Church on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., followed by a reception. Family and friends are invited to come share stories, memories, and a few laughs in his honor, just the way Mike would have liked it.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Spring Creek Assisted Living Facility in Eagle, Idaho, and All Care Hospice for their compassionate care and kindness, which gave Mike’s family more precious time with him during his final months. They will always be grateful.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mike’s memory to Cascade Rural Fire District at PO Box 825, Cascade, ID 83611.