Lowell L. Boughton, 93

Longtime Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, resident Lowell L. Boughton, 93, passed away on Feb. 3, 2016.

Lowell was born on Nov. 5, 1922, in Sandborn, N.D., to Harold and Hattie Boughton, the fifth of 12 children. He grew up in Sandborn and graduated from Sandborn High School in 1940. After working a year with the Civilian Conservation Corps and another as a civilian with the Naval Air Station in Alaska, Lowell joined the then Army Air Force in 1942, serving as bombardier in the Pacific during World War II and on the ground in Japan, paving the way for General MacArthur’s reconstruction government immediately after the war. During the Korean War, he returned to Japan as a pilot and engineer for the U.S. Air Force, serving also in Alaska, Texas, California, Arizona, North Dakota and other stations across the country. Retiring in 1965, after 23 years of military service, with the rank of Captain, he made his home in Coeur d’Alene where he attended college, worked for the U.S. Forest Service, raised three children, built a number of fine homes, and cared for his extended family and community with love and generosity for 50 years.

Lowell married his sweetheart, Grace Hoffman, on Sept. 16, 1947. Together they adopted four children into their lives; William (Billy), Christina, James (Jimmy) and Mary Ann all benefited from their love.

Lowell loved fishing the lakes in the Northwest and Canada as well as in the Pacific, hunting when possible and travel. His favorite hobby was playing bridge, receiving his Life Master ranking in 2008. Grace and Lowell were married for 69 years. They spent 20-plus years wintering in Arizona, visiting their children and grandchildren, playing cards and enjoying family and friends from the Midwest.

Lowell is survived by his lovely wife, Grace; his daughters, Christina Eden of Coeur d’Alene and Mary Ann Stoll of Chandler, Ariz.; six grandchildren, Melissa, Nathan, David, Katherine, Robert and Monica; two great-grandchildren, Jordan and Kierra; his brothers, Dick and Gerry; and sisters Irene and Betty. He was preceded in death by his children, Jimmy and Billy; his parents; two infant brothers; and his sisters, Sis, Colleen, Winnie, Shirley and Bonnie.

Family and friends are invited to honor him in praying the rosary at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, at English Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, at St. Thomas Church, 919 E. Indiana Ave., Coeur d’Alene. A reception will follow at the St. Thomas hall at 11:30 a.m. Graveside services at St. Thomas Cemetery, 115 S. 23rd St., will commence with military honors at 1 p.m. All are welcome.

Those wishing to honor Lowell’s passing with flowers and condolences, please send to English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho, 176 W. Wyoming Ave., Hayden, ID 83835. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.