Karl James Detton

BURLEY – Karl James Detton, age 88, of Burley, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2014, at the Parke View Rehabilitation and Care Center in Burley.

Karl was born on Aug. 29, 1925, in Hansen, Idaho, the son of Joseph and Hilva Diana (Johnson) Detton. He attended elementary school in Twin Falls and Nampa, and graduated from Nampa High School. As part of the Navy Air Corps training program, Karl attended Idaho State University and then served during World War II in the United States Navy. He married Lois Merrill on July 31, 1946, in the Logan Utah LDS Temple.

He worked as a life guard, “grease monkey,” mechanic, plumber, and carpenter, prior to managing and co-owning McCaslin’s Lumber and Hardware Store in Burley. He was a member of the Intermountain Lumber Dealers Association and had served as director; was a 60-year member and past president of the Burley Lions Club; and served in various other community improvements including: the placement of new bleachers at the Burley High School athletic complex; the building of Story Book Park children’s play center in Burley; the Jr. Jazz Basketball program; and was a sponsor and volunteer for the local Spudman Triathlon.

He was an active member of the LDS Church and had served as a bishop, a member of the stake high council, stake baptism coordinator, athletic director, a church service missionary at the Burley Dry Pack, and as a temple worker in the Boise Idaho LDS Temple. He also enjoyed singing in quartets and choirs.

He liked golfing, target shooting competitions, hunting, skiing, reading, and gardening.

Karl is survived by his wife, Lois Detton of Burley; two sons, David Karl Detton (Claudia) of Bountiful, Utah, and Dennis Lynn Detton of Salt Lake City, Utah; four grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Lawrence Gene Detton (Jeanene) of Amarillo, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a stillborn son, Daren Merrill Detton; a great-grandson, James Michael Reeves; seven brothers, Joseph Reed Detton, Dean Henry Detton, Lars Virgil Detton, Doris “Dory” Claudius Detton, John Clyde Detton, Glen Johnson Detton, and Melvin J Detton; and two sisters, Dortha “Dot” Caroline (Detton) DeCoria, and Hilva “Jackie” Mathilda Detton.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 3, at the Burley LDS 3rd and 7th Ward Church, 2200 Oakley Ave., with Bishop David Hansen officiating. Burial will follow at the Paul Cemetery with military rites provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Thursday at the church.

The family suggests that memorials be directed to the LDS Church Humanitarian Fund, or to the Idaho Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation, 1090 N. Cole Rd., Boise, ID 83704.