Verlon "Dee" Ward

Verlon "Dee" Ward, 81, of Bancroft Idaho, passed away with his family by his side on March 11, 2024, from complication due to Dementia. Born on December 30, 1942, in Preston Idaho to Robert O. Ward and Julia Yvonne Fletcher. He was the oldest of 5 children.

Dee grew up in Preston and attended Preston High School (yes, Napolean Dynamites' School!) He was very athletic, participated in many sports and after graduating from high school, Dee received a football scholarship to Dixie Collage in St. George, Utah. After graduating from Dixie College, Dee tried numerous different careers, only to find gratification in operating heavy equipment and occasionally as a laborer (whenever he could show up the younger men), but always working in construction, including working at the mines while owning/operating DW Construction.

Dee was a volunteer EMT for over 25 years in Caribou County from 1996 to about 2022. He loved fishing, hunting, going 4-wheeling and camping, collecting model trains, and most of allhis dogs. He was very talented with his hands and especially enjoyed woodworking. Dee spent many hours creating cherished items for family and friends that hold special meaning to each of us.

Dee had the personality and natural charisma to make friends no matter the situation and his laugh was infectious to everyone around him. A man of many stories, some factual and others not so factual. A man with a simple taste of Levi's and button-down plaid shirts with a pocket protector that carried all the items he needed to write or fix things on the spot.

Dee is survived by his wife, Connie Ward (Weighall), his daughters Sherry Peck (Jeff), Donna Ward (Robert), Korena Moreland (Casey), Brenda Alftin (Vic), a son Mike Lewis(Kym), along with 18 grandchildren and soon to be 23 great grandchildren. Dee was preceded in death by his parents, his son Robert "Bob" Dee Ward, sister Jerry Izatt, brother Brent Ward, grandson Ben Lewis and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A graveside service will be held in Soda Springs at the Farview Cemetery (148 S. Main St.) on Friday April 12 at 12:00 pm with a Celebration of Life and Lunch to follow immediately afterwards at the LDS Church (311 S. Main St.) in Bancroft.

The family would also like to express deep and heartfelt gratitude to the many caregivers, nurses, aides, and doctors, who tended to Dee and gave him such great care over the past year. Your kindnesses will always be remembered.