The Standard Examiner Thr, July 26, 2001 00:00:00 MALAD, IDAHO -- John D. Tovey, Sr., 70, of Malad City, Idaho, passed away Monday, July 23rd, 2001 in the Oneida County Hospital. He was born January 14, 1931 in Malad, a son of Morgan William Sr. and Gwenfred Jones Tovey. He was raised and educated in Malad and graduated from Malad High School in 1949 where he excelled in athletics. John D. attended the University of Idaho for three years before enlisting in the United States Army on August 20, 1952. After basic training at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, he was sent to board a troop carrier in San Franscisco en route to Korea by way of Japan. John D. was assigned to the 707 Ordinance Battalion, which was stationed north of the 38th Parallel. John D. was promoted to Corporal, then Sergeant and then Sergeant First Class in the first three months. He was assigned Sergeant Major two weeks later and served as Battalion Sergeant Major over the two company headquarters consisting of over 250 men. John D. was assigned as S-1 in charge of Personnel and Intelligence for the last six months of his stay. Upon his return, he finished college at the University of Idaho, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture in 1956. John D. returned to Malad where he worked with his father on the family farm, periodically teaching at local schools. In 1958, he met Myrna Williams, a nurse stationed in Malad awaiting Army Nurse Corps orders. He proposed on the first date and they were married in Elko, Nevada on March 31, 1958. John D. worked the family farm for his entire life with a short career with Jones Hardware as a Farm Implement Salesman. In the early 70's, John D. became an equity investor in Oneida Manufacturing producing a variety of heavy plastic products. During the 80's, John D. entered a partnership owning and running two bands of sheep. He has been semi-retired for the past 5 years. John D. was a member of the Ernest W. Jones Legion Post, the Masonic Lodge, and the Elks' Lodge. He held many posts within these organizations. He was a Director for the former First Bank and Trust from 1974 to 1985. He served as the Oneida County Republican Party Chairman throughout the 60's and 70's. He ran an unsuccessful campaign for the State Senate in 1962. John D. loved hunting throughout his life, taking hunting excursions to many parts of the West. He enjoyed following the athletic events of his three sons, rarely missing so much as a practice track meet. In later years, he loved traveling to visit his sons in Oregon where he gambled with mixed success. He looked forward to the Saturday Night Bingo sessions at the American Legion Hall. John D. is survived by his loving wife, Myrna Williams Tovey of Malad; Three sons: J. David, Jr., William Douglas (Buffy), and Allen Joseph (Wendy), all of Pendleton, Oregon. One grandson, J.D. Tovey III of Moscow, Idaho, and four step-grandchildren (Jessica, Gavin, Kyle, and Ellynn) of Pendleton, Oregon. Two brothers: Morgan W. Tovey, Jr. of Beaverton, Oregon and Roger (Colleen) of Roseville, California; two sisters: Winifred (Cecil) Alldaffer of Soda Springs, Idaho; and Mary Sue Borden of Gooding, Idaho. He was preceded in death by his parents and a younger brother, Cleve Tovey. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 27, 2001 at the LDS 2nd Ward Chapel, 100 W. 20 S. in Malad, at 12 noon. Friends may call at Horsley Funeral Home, 132 W. 300 N., Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Friday one hour prior to service. Burial will be in the Malad City Cemetery, with military honors accorded by the American Legion Post # 65.