Obituary of Dean Donald Fairchild

Dean Donald Fairchild, 86, of Midvale passed away June 26, 2020 at his home in Midvale.  Arrangements under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home.  A gravesid

Dean Donald Fairchild, born June 4, 1934, passed from this life June 26, 2020, at his home in Midvale, Idaho. 

Dean was born the sixth son of Ben and Anna (Watson) Fairchild.  As a young man he logged with his dad and brothers around Midvale and Cambridge, and later worked with his brother, Art, at the  Midvale sawmill.

He married the love of his life and soul mate, Velda Towell, in 1957 after his tour in the U.S. Navy, where he was posted on a small mine sweep.

Dean enjoyed his life long membership of the masonic lodge AF & AM (Salubria).

They settled on a farm where they operated a Grade A dairy and a small number of beef cattle.   Their family grew there as well, to include three children, Deana, Debra, and Duane.  During this time, he also worked as a ‘cat skinner’ with the Army Corps of Engineers.

In the late 1970’s they purchased a cattle ranch in the Brownlee area where they spent many happy days.  Later, as they grew older and wanted to slow down, they relocated back to a farm in Midvale. In addition to farming, they also operated an excavation business with son Duane.

Dean always enjoyed his work but always with Velda at his side for almost 50 years.  They spent a number of years as snowbirds in Yuma, Arizona until Velda’s sudden passing in 2007.  He continued to go south in the winter, accompanied on the trips by daughters (Deana or Debbie). When in Arizona he lived close to his son, Duane, and daughter-in-law Candy, until poor health caused him to live year- round in Midvale.  He always said “I was born here, lived here all my life, and I am going to die here.”  In Midvale, his daughter Debbie and her husband Christ lived with and gladly cared for him until he was ready to go to his heavenly home.

Dean is proceeded in death by his parents, wife Velda, grandson Lucas Attebery, son-in-law Scott Attebery, and five older brothers.

He is survived by his daughters Deana Attebery, Debra (Christ) Fairchild-Huston, and son Duane (Candace) Fairchild.  Also, he is survived by two grandsons and a granddaughter,  Matt (Becky) Attebery, Coty (Annaka) Fairchild, and Angel Taylor Fairchild, three  great grandchildren, Liam and Laveya Fairchild, Taylor Kaarlela, as well as his faithful dog Lucky.

The family wishes to express sincere thanks to Denice and Stephanie from Canyon Home Care & Hospice for their loving care of our dad.  Thank you to his sidekick of many years, Dean Wikoff.  Finally. Kathey Mott who occcasionally stayed with dad during the last seven months.

Graveside service will be held Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 10:00 a.m at Eastside Cemetery in Midvale.

Arrangements under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home.

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