Afton Don Nye

MALTA – Our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, Afton Don Nye, age 97, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 7, 2012, in Albion, at the home of his son, André.

He was born on Oct. 3, 1914, in Albion, Idaho, the eighth of nine children born to Fredrick James and Hannah Roseanna Loveland Nye. At a young age his family left Albion and moved to Almo, and eventually settled in Malta, where Afton received his education and graduated from Malta High School. He continued and completed his education at the University of Idaho in Moscow.

When Afton was 12 years old, his father passed away from an accidental death and he, along with his brothers, helped their mother run the farm. He eventually took over the family farm where he had a very successful dairy and farm operation until he retired.

As a young man, he and two friends, Jack Pierce and Glen Parke, won several awards showing and judging steers. He loved the 4-H program and encouraged his children to participate in it. He also loved to go to the fairs and watch the livestock judging.

His greatest love was his family whom he loved dearly and was so proud of. He loved to spend time with them going fishing and camping – even though when the family went camping, he had to go home every night to milk the cows, come back to camp and sleep, then go back to milk the cows in the morning. He also liked to garden, sing (his nickname was “singer”), and read good books. He especially loved spending time studying the scriptures.

Afton was a lifelong member of the LDS Church and served faithfully throughout his life. He served a mission in the France / Belgium area where he made lasting friendships. He and his companion, Jack Patterson, have remained close friends ever since. It was only in the last week or so that Jack and his wife, Joan, came to visit him and they had so much fun reminiscing about their missionary days.

Afton married Ann Hanchir on Oct. 3, 1950, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They were married for 59 years and were blessed with five children. They worked side-by-side in the Logan Temple for many years and in 1994-1995, they served as missionaries in the Frankfurt Germany LDS Temple, which they both loved. It was a wonderful time for them both as they were able to visit Ann’s family in Belgium on their days off. Ann passed away on Aug. 11, 2010. He missed her so much.

He is survived by his children, Shirley (Bill) Morris of Washougal, Washington, Elizabeth (David) Kimber of Grouse Creek, Utah, Stephen Nye of Malta, André (Carol) Nye of Albion, and Robbin (Jeff) Thomas of Ferndale, Washington; and many grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Ann, he was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Merlin and John; and his sisters, Hilda Harris, Cordelia Shaw, Marian Taylor, Ona Gunnell, Nona Camp, and Ruth Magnelli-Zollinger.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 13, at the Malta LDS Church with Bishop Jeff Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Valley Vu Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church.