Sidney Lewis Boyd

April 17, 1919-June 10, 2015 Sidney Lewis (Lew) Boyd, 96, of Mt. Home, peacefully went to be with the Lord on June 10, 2015 at The Cottages assisted living home in Mt. Home. Lew was the son of David Ogden Boyd and Alice (Barnard) Boyd. He was born at his grandmother's home on April 17, 1919, in Twin Falls, Idaho at 8:35 am and weighed over 10 pounds. He was named after his parents' birth towns. His mom was born in Sidney, Iowa and his dad in Lewis, Iowa. So he was called Sidney Lewis Boyd. Lew grew up surrounded by four doting sisters; two older and two younger. Lew's father was a depot agent for the Union Pacific Railroad, as such, the family moved often, living in a number of towns in southern Idaho: Twin Falls, Murtaugh, American Falls, Paul, and Rogerson. Lew spoke fondly of his childhood. One memory recalled a horse drawn ice cream wagon. Once a week it came through his neighborhood playing music and selling ice cream cones. Kids would come running from every direction with their nickels. Lew said it was the "best ice cream ever"! In 1926 his family bought a brand new Chevrolet. This was their first car with a covered top and windows all around. They also acquired a new gadget on the market called a radio. The first radios didn't have speakers so only one person could listen through a pair of headphones. Lew's dad would do the listening and repeat to the family what was being said. Years later they purchased a Majestic radio that had speakers so everyone could listen. They tallied many hours listening to their favorite programs. In 1927 when Lew was eight years old, the family moved from Twin Falls to American Falls. This is where Lew spent the majority of his youth. The trip from Twin Falls to American Falls took all day. At that time there were no paved roads so cars could only go about 25 miles an hour. Tires weren't perfected so consequently they frequently had flat tires to fix. Fixing a flat was not an easy task. The operation went something like this: first remove the wheel, then separate the rubber tire from the rim, and take out the tube to search for a hole. After finding the hole, it was patched, reassembled, pumped back up, and mounted to the car. During the summer months, Lew caught grasshoppers which were used for fishing bait. He then sold them to a neighbor for a penny a dozen. Each Friday night he took the ten cents he earned during the week and went to the silent movies. The words were printed across the bottom of the screen while someone played piano during the film. Each week they watched a continuing story that was filled with lots of action. On October 6, 1929 the stock market crashed. The nation was thrown into a long dreadful depression. By 1930 the depression had taken its toll. Lew was ten years old at the time but can remember vividly people stopping by their home and asking for something to eat. Lew's mom always fed them. In January of 1935 Lew moved to Paul with his family. Lew attended and graduated from Paul high School. He was selected as the drum major for the high school band. The band marched in the Rose parade in Portland, Oregon. They were so impressive that the band received an invitation to participate in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California. Lew's dad arranged to have three passenger cars added to the train just for the band's travel to California. Lew proudly represented his high school by expertly twirling his baton and strutting down the boulevard leading the band. During his high school years, Lew met a beautiful young woman named Caroline Daisie Rush. They were immediately smitten with each other and became inseparable. They married on August 25, 1938 in Pocatello, Idaho. They had five girls. Their first daughter was born in 1939. They named her Carolu which was a combination of both their names: Caroline and Lewis. In January of 1941, Lew started working for the Triumph mine in Ketchum. Tons of silver, zinc, and lead ore were extracted from the mine during its peak operating years. On December 10th, just 3 days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor their second daughter, Gladys Elaine was born. By July of 1942 Lew was employed as a carpenter helping to build the infamous Japanese retention camp at Eden, Idaho. It housed 10,000 Japanese Americans. In December, 1944 the United States Supreme Court ruled that it was illegal to hold American citizens as prisoners and the detainees were freed within weeks. They were given $25 and a train ticket home. After his carpenter job ended, Lew signed up for training to become a fireman on the Union Pacific Railroad in August of 1942. All training at that time was unpaid. After completing all his training and passing the written exam he was officially hired. He made his first paid trip on September 19, 1942. Soon after, Lew moved his family to Glenns Ferry, Idaho. During his first few years at the railroad his work was irregular so Lew dug ditches or worked at any job that helped provide for his family. Lew and Caroline saved their money until they had $1,000. This was used as a down payment on their first home which they purchased in 1946. Their home cost $3,800 with monthly payments of $28.00. While living in Glenns Ferry their three youngest girls were born: first Shelia Kay born in 1945, then Vicki Renee born in 1946 and lastly Randee Faye born in 1948. In May of 1949, their oldest daughter, Carolue died from a medical condition. Lew applied and was accepted as a member of the Masons. He was very committed to the principles of the Masons, which taught honor and integrity in life. He earned a thirty-second degree; the highest honor you can earn. He was elected as Master Mason in 1948. January 1951 brought about another move, this time to Pocatello, Idaho, the hub of the Union Pacific Railroad. After a few years Lew trained and passed the exam to become an engineer. He loved being an engineer and considered himself very lucky to have found his calling in life. During his 40 year career working for the railroad, he was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He held several offices: local Chairman, Secretary/Treasurer and Legislative Representative. In 1966, he was selected as a delegate to the national convention, which was held in Cleveland, Ohio. Over the years, Lew worked diligently to improve working conditions for all Engineers. Lew and Caroline were very involved in their community. They were devoted members of the Lutheran Church. Lew was the first PTA President at Lewis and Clark Elementary School when it opened its doors in 1954. They were both active in the Masons, Eastern Star, and Shriners organizations. After 35 years of marriage, Lew and Caroline divorced in 1973. He later married Allie Mitchell in April of 1974. After retiring from the railroad in 1982, they relocated to Twin Falls, Idaho where he was active in the Lions Club and the Senior Citizens organization. Lew and Allie learned how to line dance and loved it so much that they eventually taught lessons. After spending 28 years together, Allie died in October of 2002. Lewis remarried a third time to Pauline (Worley) Harper in August 2003. In May of 2008 he and Pauline made their final move to The Cottages assisted living center in Mt. Home. Lew was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, his daughter Carolu, and his three wives. He is survived by his children including: Elaine and Jerry Rich of Poulsbo, WA; Shelia and Chet Fulwyler of Pocatello, Idaho; Vicki and Jim Wozniak of Eagle, Idaho; Randee and Neil Anderson of Redmond, WA; 10 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and well over a dozen great-great-grandchildren. Parke's Magic Valley Funeral home will handle the arrangements for burial. He will be laid to rest at the Twin Falls Cemetery in Twin Falls, Idaho. Lew has requested that there be no funeral service. A family memorial gathering will be held at a later date. The family extends a very special thank you to the staff at The Cottages for the loving care given to Lew.