Damasio (Juan) Rangel

BURLEY – Damasio Rangel Jr. (Juan Rangel), age 68, of Burley, passed away at his home on Tuesday, April 10, 2012.

He was born on Nov. 23, 1943, in Weslaco, Texas, to Damasio Salazar and Paulita Gonzales Rangel. As a child his family left Texas to find work in different states. In the late 1950's, his family moved to Idaho where they later settled in Burley.

Damasio was blessed with a daughter from a previous marriage that later ended in divorce. He then met Alejandra Galindo and they were married on Sept. 29, 1967, in Burley. They had six children and later divorced.

Damasio was known to all his friends as “Juan, John or Johnny.” and to his family as “Dee or Tio Dee.” He was a self-taught auto and diesel mechanic, and was a truck driver by trade. He enjoyed being a truck driver and drove for J & W Trucking, Santos Trucking, and other businesses in the Mini-Cassia area. In 1996, he suffered an accident that later caused him to retire early. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and was a big Elvis Presley fan. Damasio especially loved talking about “being out on the road.”

He was a member of the St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church. He also held a special place in his heart for all of his grandchildren.

He is survived by his children, Angela (Jerry) Reed of Turlock, California, Julie Rangel (Arturo Reynoso) of Ogden, Utah, Kristine (Jaime) Lopez of Heyburn, Pedro “Pete” (Yolanda) Rangel of Nampa, Damasio “Junior” (Ruby) Rangel of Boise, Rachel Rangel of Heyburn, and Gracie (Juan) Solano of Logan Sport, Indiana; his siblings, Maria (Luis) Chaves of Arizona, and Margarita Gonzales of Burley; 15 grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Lupe, Raymond and Paul; four nephews; and two nieces.

The family expresses their sincere appreciation to Kay at Syringa Plaza, and a special thank-you to Connie and his sister, Margarita, for taking exceptional care of Damasio.

A vigil service will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, April 16, at the St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church, 1601 Oakley Ave., in Burley, with the recitation of the rosary beginning at 7 p.m.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 17, also at the St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church, with the Rev. Father Marcos Sanchez as celebrant. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Rasmussen Funeral Home of Burley.