John R. Moline
John R. Moline, 86, a resident of Gooding, passed away December 19, 2023, in Gooding.
John was born on January 19, 1937, in Fairfield, Idaho to Lloyd and Estrella Moline. He always loved to tell the story of that day. Of course, in Fairfield it was in the middle of a snowstorm. His parents had moved to town so they could be closer to the Doctor. When the time came Lloyd went looking for the Dr. and found him having a libation, told him it was time and Lloyd headed out looking back every step in the snow drifts to make sure the Doc was following him. By the time they got there, John had already made his presence known.
He graduated from Gooding High School 1955 and went on to graduate from the Kinman Business College in Washington, with a major in accounting. John enlisted in the US Army in 1961, honorably discharged in 1967 as SP4 E4 (T), along with medals of commendations. He came back to Gooding and worked a short time with BLM in Shoshone, then moved to Lake Tahoe working at Harrah’s Casino for a good many years.
He met his Best Friend and Mate, Lorna, while working at Harrahs. They were married November 4, 1968 in Elko, Nevada, with his brother, Bob and wife Jeanette standing up for them. He eventually brought her back to his beginnings when he came back to help his dad on the farm at Fairfield. He always made the remark that dry farming was a bigger gamble than any you could find in Nevada. He was very proud to work alongside his dad and enjoyed the history of the farm, which was acquired by a homestead act, signed by President Theodore Roosevelt back in 1908, making it 115 years now. The original farmland is still in the family. After returning to Gooding, he decided to take up his accounting field again and started working with Walston and Spackman, changing to Spackman and France, who helped immensely by arranging updated accounting classes for him, so he could help them out in the wintertime, then back to farming in Summer. That firm eventually merged and was known as Jones, France, Basterrechea and Wagner, which was later relocated to Twin Falls to join a larger firm, Eide Bailly.
He so enjoyed the outdoor life of Idaho. And that we did quite often with the “First Class” accommodations furnished by our friends, Leroy, and Ellen Trader of Hill City. It seemed just about every chance we had, they graciously opened their door to their 5th Wheel and gave us a place to lay our heads. Some people would call that “freeloading,” we refer to it as true friendship😊 And, with the help of Phil and Louise Becker, we did get him to go on several cruises, which he really enjoyed once he got on the ship.
John was a member of the American Legion, Elmer Miller Post #19, and The Forty and Eight.
John was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert, and his wife Jeanette; Brother-in-law, Leo Basterrechea; Brother-in-law, David Wall, and his wife Shirley; Niece, Keri Merritt and Son, Curtis Merritt.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lorna; Sister, Carole Ann Basterrechea; and numerous nieces, nephews & cousins.
The family would like to extend a huge thank you to neighbors, Aaron and Kathy Sanders and Eric and Hannah Swanson. You were there, with support and comfort the entire time. And it goes without saying to the EMTs, Police, and Lifeflight Air Medical Services. Everyone worked like clockwork and tried their best with compassionate understanding.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, December 29, 2023, at Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding. A reception will follow at the Gooding Basque Center, 285 Euskadi Lane in Gooding.
The family wishes memorial donations in John’s name be made to: Gooding Cemetery Chimes Fund, c/o Jeff Spackman, Eide Bailly, 1505 Medrona Street North – Building 800, Twin Falls, Idaho 83301. Or, American Legion Elmer Miller Post 19, c/o Vic Weber, Adjutant, PO Box 262, Fairfield, Idaho 83327.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.