POCATELLO – Alton J. Hobson, longtime resident of Pocatello, passed away Sunday morning, July 16, 1998, at his home of an extended illness, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born July 30, 1930, in Oxford, Idaho, a son of John Reynol and Rose Ella Johnson. He attended schools in Malad and graduated from Malad High School. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War and stayed in the Army Reserve until 1956.

On March 4, 1955, he married Joyleen Salvesen at Downey, Idaho. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Alton operated a service station in Pocatello for several years and then worked for J.R. Simplot Company as a heavy equipment mechanic until ill health forced his retirement. He was an active member of th LDS Church and was a home teacher.

He owned his own cutter racing team and raced whenever he could. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting pheasant. He was an avid gardener and shared food from his garden with others. Everyone was his friend and he always had a smile for them.

Survivors include: his mother, Rose Hobson, Portland, Oregon; wife, Joyleen, Pocatello; a son and his wife, Danny and Denise Hobson, Pocatello; two daughters, Kayla Johnson (John) , Hood River, Oregon; and Cindy Nead, Pocatello; a brother, Phil Hobson, Milwaukee, Oregon; two sisters, Lorraine Thomas, Mount Lake Terrace, Washington, and Leah Madsen, Granite Falls, Washington; eight grandchildren, Kalynn, Martha, Karalyn, Jennifer, Chad, Tanya, Lisa and Betsy. He was preceded in death by his father, two brothers, one sister and a granddaughter.

Funeral services were conducted Thursday, July 30, 1998, in the Pocatello LDS Second Ward with Bishop Todd Payne officiating. Interment was in the Downey Cemetery with military rites provided by the Downey American Legion Post 21, Dennis Phillips commander.