Delbert Harwada Thrall

BURLEY – Delbert Harwada Thrall, a 93-year-old resident of Rupert, passed away Friday, June 26, 2026, at Highland Estates Assisted Living in Burley.

Delbert was born June 5, 1933, in Compton, Arkansas, son of Edgar Thrall and Ida Mae Sims Thrall. He joined a family of his mother, five brothers, and a sister.

In 1940, the family of a mother, six boys, a girl, and a few relations moved to Idaho in a truck, tents, and a traveling kitchen. It took quite some time but they eventually arrived in Jerome, Idaho, and it became their home for many years.

Delbert, also known as “Toad” went to Jerome schools and graduated from Jerome High School in 1953.

Upon graduation he entered the U.S. Air Force, spendin time at many bases, including one year in Korea during the Korean War; he was also stationed in Washington, California, Texas, Colorado, and his last base, Roswell, New Mexico.

In August of 1955, Del and Ruth Tankersley were married. To this marriage were born a son, Jeffery Thrall, and a daughter, Penny Thrall. Jeff and Penny got used to moving and meeting new people and new friends, some of whom are still good friends.

When in the Air Force, he worked on B-52s and was in Bomb Navigation. At times that was a very hot job on the flight line in the New Mexico heat.

Upon discharge he and his family moved to Nevada. While there he worked for Rocketdyne, a branch of North American Aviation, Space Engine division.

In 1964, he and his family moved to Rupert, Idaho. He and his wife operated a motel for several years, but after about a year he went to work for Amalgamated Sugar, as an instrument man. He retired from Amalgamated on June 30, 1994.

He enjoyed his retirement. He had many trips to Alaska to fish and hunt with his brothers and nephews. The highlight of his last few summers was fishing with Doug Green in his pontoon boat, along with Doug, Larry Garro, and Russ Cowan. This was an almost daily event, and a good time was had by all!

He was a man who could build anything, fix anything, and was always willing to help a friend.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; son, Jeff; daughter, Penny (Rick) Paoli; granddaughter, Angela (Paul) Lim; great-grandchildren, Faith (Adam) Nebeker, and Cecelia, Andrew, and Bernadette Lim; brother-in-law, Dale Tankersley; and numerous nieces and nephews— all whom were precious to him.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ida Mae; his brothers, Jack (Clara), Charlie (Winnie), Ben (Charlotte), George (Helen), and Vernon; and sister, Florence (Ed) Chancellor.

A private service will be held at a later date.

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