John Kenneth Courtnay

Hollister. John Kenneth Courtnay, 85, of Hollister passed away Friday, March 7, 2014 at St. Luke's Magic Valley Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his family. John was born March 31, 1928, in Twin Falls, Idaho to Clarence and Genevieve Davis Courtnay. He was the oldest of four children. John spent his childhood in the Shoshone Basin and Hollister area. John grew up knowing hard work from a young age due to his father's death at the age of 12. He attended Hollister School and graduated in 1946 with a class of four. After finishing high school, he attended the University of Idaho and the College of Idaho with a strong interest in the medical field. John married Dessie D. Marsh on April 17, 1954 at the Murtaugh Methodist Church in Murtaugh, Idaho. They raised four children on the farm on the Salmon Tract near Hollister, Idaho. He was a long time farmer of 60 plus years and farmed right up until a few months before his death. When he first started farming, he worked for a neighbor and did other jobs to support his family. For several years he worked the winter campaign at Amalgamated Sugar Co. as a mechanic. Water issues were very important to him, therefore he acquired his well drilling license. He was very handy at fixing things and would do anything to help others and was well respected by family and neighbors. John is survived by his wife, Dessie, his four children, John D. (Susan) Courtnay of Hollister, Mike (Debra) Courtnay of Hollister, Judy (Brent) Woody of Filer and Pat (Vicki) Courtnay of Hollister; his grandchildren, Jason (Karyn) Fife of Cumming, GA, Jeremy (Wendy) Fife of Kimberly, Michael Woody of Filer, Matthew (Vivian) Woody of Twin Falls, Jarrett Courtnay of Twin Falls, Cameron Courtnay of Hollister, Kandice Woody of Filer, and Casey Courtnay of Hollister and 9 great-grandchildren, Baylee, Brynlee, McKynlee and Brady Fife, Keegan, Karsen and Kortnie Fife and Roman and Presley Woody. He is survived by his siblings, Clive (Patty) Courtnay of Midwest City, OK, Isabelle Loughmiller of Hollister, Idaho and Laura (Marvin) Ulrich of Heyburn, Idaho and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law. Visitation for John will be held Friday, March 14, 2014 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home 2551 Kimberly Rd., Twin Falls. Funeral services for John will be held Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 10:00 AM at the funeral home. Interment will follow services at Twin Falls Cemetery, Twin Falls, Idaho. Those wishing to share memories and condolences may do so on John's memorial website at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.