Donald "Jay" Lish, 81, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on January 30, 2023 in Soda Springs.

He was born on January 23, 1942 in Salmon, Idaho to Irvin and Hazel Pugh Lish.

Jay married Vickie Lynne Watkins on October 22, 1962 in Soda Springs.  They were blessed with 3 children that Jay shared his love for the outdoors with.  They later divorced.

He later welcomed 2 more children into his circle of loved ones when he married Lani Phelps.  They were later divorced.

Jay grew up in the Lemhi Valley of Idaho alongside his siblings. While in high school, he moved to Conda, Idaho when his father went to work for Simplot. He graduated from Soda Springs High School in 1960.  He then lived the remainder of his life in Soda Springs, where he was known for his warm heart, kind spirit and joyous laughter.

Jay was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints.  Early in his adult life he worked for Bob's Conoco, Al Dunn' fish hatchery, and the lab at JR Simplot. Jay retired from Monsanto where he worked as a mechanic and heavy equipment operator. He was also a reserve police officer for the Soda Springs Police Department. He had a deep love for the outdoors and particularly enjoyedcamping and fishing. In the summers, he loved fishing from his  boat on the Blackfoot reservoir, and winter was all about the ice fishing.  He was referred by many as "the Fisherman"!  He also enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling, 4 wheeling, and horseback riding.  He also enjoyed many fun pack trips with his friends.  He loved to cook and was well known for his dutch oven cooking.  He loved to sing and play the guitar and performed in a band when he was younger, playing the bass guitar. He loved his family deeply and enjoyed taking pictures of their time together.

Jay is survived by one son and three daughters:  Justin Lish, Soda Springs, ID, Shauna Morgan (Tracy), Soda Springs, ID, Nicci Zentner (Josh), Soda Springs, ID and Danielle Fuson (Jay), Pocatello, ID.  He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren and a sister, Glenna Smith of Soda Springs, ID.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Lance J. Lish, grandson, Tyson Jade Lopez and brothers Cleo James Lish, and Irvin Dean Lish, and a half-brother, Sheldon Lish.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Sims Funeral Home, 139 E 2 nd S, Soda Springs.  The family will meet with friends from 11:30-12:45 at the funeral home just prior to services.  To celebrate Jay's life, the family welcomes all to come and share their memories of him.  Burial will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Soda Springs.