James Dale Criddle

On June 30, 2018 James Dale Criddle received his final wish and returned home to be with his beautiful wife Kathleen. Dale had been on this wonderful trip called life for 93 years.

His journey started with his birth on August 29, 1924 in the home of his grandfather, George Salvesen. His loving parents were James Alvin Criddle and Vesta Lavon Salvesen. He would soon be joined by two brothers Melvin and Max. Dale grew up on his father’s farm 5 miles north of Downey. Dale learned hard work at the knee of his father – milking cows, working horses, farming the land and growing a garden. The skills learned would be evident throughout the remainder of his life. He never shied away from hard work.

The farm in Cambridge did not have the luxuries of central heating, indoor bathrooms, electricity, telephones or refrigerators that he was able to enjoy during his married life. Progress in this area was something Dale really appreciated. In his lifetime, he experienced all of the great changes in technology from plows and wagons pulled by horses, milking by hand, hand written letters to eight-tired tractors, cars, hill side combines, IPads and emails.

When Dale was eleven his mother was called home to her Heavenly Father, leaving a husband and three boys. His father married Bessie Jensen, a former school teacher of Dale’s. This was a blessing to the small family. Soon three sisters and two brothers were added to the family. Dale loved his brothers and sisters and has always been proud to be a part of such a great heritage.

In 1944, Dale was inducted into the US Army. He was sent from his quiet country home of Downey to Fort Knox in Kentucky where he was trained as a tank crewman. After his training was finished, he was shipped off to the European Theatre of Operations. He would serve as a tank gunner in the 707 Tank Battalion throughout Southern Germany until the conclusion of World War II.

Upon returning to the United States, Dale had the desire to serve his Heavenly Father and was called to be a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the California Mission from 1946-1948. When he returned from his mission he would enroll at Brigham Young University. He enrolled in classes to become a teacher. He had a great mind for math and science which has filtered down through the generations of his family. While getting his degree was a nice side benefit of going to BYU, the most important part was a beautiful blonde girl from Dublan, Mexico who smiled at him from across the room. Kathleen Bowman won his heart and they were married June 9, 1950 in the Mesa Arizona temple. She was the love of his life and partner in all his accomplishments.

After graduation, Dale moved to Shelley to start his teaching career. After completing his first year of teaching he received an invitation that would define the remainder of his life. His father offered him the opportunity to farm with him and Dale jumped at the chance. He also continued to teach part time when the family needed extra income but the farm became his passion that he wanted to pass down to his posterity. Dale enjoyed the farm work although it was often hot, cold, dirty, noisy and tiring-sometimes all in the same day.

At home things were busy as well. Dale would become the father of ten beautiful children. Busy days on the farm and busy evenings at home would define the life of the family. Dale loved to hunt with the boys, ride horses, travel to Mexico to visit family and take the children to work on the farm. His life was always busy as he did his best to provide for his large family and manage his time between all the competing responsibilities.

Dale and Kathleen enjoyed each other’s company as husband and wife for fifty-three years. In 1998, Kathleen was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Dale would lovingly care for her during her final days. Kathleen passed away at the family home in Downey in 2003. Since that time, Dale and his son Karl have been each other’s support. Living together and caring for each other during life’s waning moments. They were truly blessed to have each other.

Dale was always willing to serve both in his church, community and farming organizations. He served as a bishop for many years in the Downey Ward. Dale and Kathleen also enjoyed being temple workers in the Logan LDS Temple. He was willing to accept whatever church calling came his way. He loved the Lord and tried his best to honor his priesthood. He wanted to be an example of Christ like love. He served his community as a member of the city council. He loved his community in the shadow of Oxford Peak and never wanted to live anywhere else. He also served as President of the Idaho Grain Growers association promoting his love of agriculture to all those around him. He was a delegate to the National Wheat Growers and received the Idaho Wheat Commission Distinguished Service Award.

Dale died peacefully at his home in Downey on June 30, 2018. Dale is survived by seven sons and two daughters: James (Kathy), Richland, Washington; Paul (Sandra), Winnemucca, Nevada; Mark, Downey, Idaho; Lavon Cooper, Granby, Colorado; Rolfe (Myrna), Mesa, Arizona; Rex (Lori) Downey, Idaho; Craig (Gina), Downey, Idaho; ReNae (Daryn), Idaho Falls, Idaho; Karl, Downey, Idaho; 33 grandchildren and 47 great grandchildren. Brothers and sisters: Max (Donna) Criddle, Green Valley, Arizona; Connie (Reid) Gardner, Loveland, Colorado; Carol (Glen) Roylance, Ogden, Utah; Jean (Randal) Densley, Orem, Utah; Keith (Carolee), Auburn, Washington; Clyde (Ann), Houston, Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife, (Kathleen), Son (Claude “Bow” Bowman), granddaughter (Tammy), his father and three mothers.

He will be greatly missed!
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 12 noon in the Downey LDS Ward Chapel.  Friends may visit with the family from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the church prior to the service.  Burial will follow in the Downey City Cemetery where Military Rites will be accorded.