POCATELLO — Jesse George Stratford III, 89, longtime educator, in the Marsh Valley School District, passed away Friday, January 19, 2001, at a long-term care center in Pocatello following an extended illness.
He was born January 26, 1911, in Boise, Idaho, a son of Jesse George Stratford Jr. and Martha Ann Morris. When he was very young, his family moved to Idaho Falls. He attended schools there as well as in Salt Lake City, Utah, American Falls, Idaho, and graduated from Pocatello High School in 1931.
He attended the University of Idaho-Southern Branch (now ISU). He then attended Utah State University where he received his B.S. degree in physical education and business and went on to get his master’s degree in educational administration. On April 27, 1935, he married Deseret Wright in Coalville, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized In the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on April 26, 1969.
In 1935 he started his teaching career in Lone Tree, Wyoming, He also taught at Moreland, Idaho, High School, Soda Springs, Idaho, High School, Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, High School and was principal at North Marsh High School (now Marsh Valley) in Arimo, Idaho. He then was principal and teacher at Inkom Elementary School for 20 years.
In 1976 he and Deseret moved to Logan, Utah, where they resided until 1993. Then they moved, to Pocatello where they resided, at Cottonwood Cove.
He was active in the LDS Church, having served as financial clerk to three bishops in Inkom. He served as assistant high priest group leader in Logan.
Jesse was an avid fisherman and great sports fan as he also coached several teams as he taught at various schools.
Survivors include: His wife, Deseret of Pocatello; two daughters, George Ann (John William) Weitnauer, Aurora, Colorado, and Sydney Mae Lowry, Pocatello, an aunt, Rebecca Hawkes, Pocatello; six grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and a son-in-law, Steven Lowry.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 23, 2001, at 11 a.m. at the Inkom LDS Chapel with Patriarch Claude Stuart officiating. Interment will be in the Inkom Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave., and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the church. .