Harley Temple Fouts

August 19th, 1919 - May 18th, 2018

Pop had many “a chat with St. Pete about when to come and get me,” letting “Pete” know he wasn’t quite ready yet. Shortly after a fall that fractured his hip and pelvis, he made his final request to be led home, and St. Pete complied. Harley Temple Fouts, Jr., 98, of Caldwell, passed through those pearly gates on May 18, 2018. He was born August 19, 1919 in Wilcox Nebraska, the second of four children born to Harley Temple and Mary Elizabeth Fouts. He grew up on a hog farm in the middle of the dust bowl and learned how to work hard from a very young age. He lost his mother at age seven and cholera wiped out the hog farm several years later. The stories and memories he shared of his childhood were all happy ones, although he was known to say “times were tough and the poor folk thought we were poor folk”. Harley attended a small prairie school through 8th grade and graduated from Wilcox High School in 1936. Harley left home in the fall of 1936 and hitchhiked to Wyoming to work on his uncle’s cattle ranch for a year, then on to Idaho for 3 more years of cattle and sheep ranching. He was drafted into the army in early 1941 and deployed with the 113th Cavalry Recon as reinforcements at Normandy Beach. He fought through France, Belgium, Holland, and into Germany and was honorably discharged in November of 1945. Sgt. Fouts was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Good Conduct Medal. After his discharge, Harley returned to Idaho to rekindle his earlier courtship with Mary Jane Frick. His persistence paid off and they were married June 19, 1946. They lived in Holdrege Nebraska for three years where Harley worked for Palmer Bros. Monument Company. Their daughter, Katherine Marie, was born in Nebraska and only lived a few months. They moved to Boise in 1949 where their two sons, Harley Steven “Steve” and Philip Wayne were born. Harley worked for Jellison Bros. Monument Company until fall of 1963 when he and Mary moved to Caldwell to start their own business. Boise Valley Monument Company was Harley’s pride and joy and he worked tirelessly in the business until well into his 80’s. He was highly regarded in the industry and in the community as a man of great integrity and strong work ethic. Harley was a long time member of the Caldwell United Methodist Church, a 69 year member of the Boise Masonic Lodge, a proud Shriner, and a member of the Caldwell Elks Lodge. Harley was preceded in death by his parents, brother Kenneth Fouts, two sisters, Elizabeth Fouts and Lois Benton, daughter Katherine, son Steve, and wife Mary. Survivors include his son Phil (Leona) Fouts; daughter-in-law Jewel Fouts; grandchildren Kari (Maya Wilde) Fouts, Kelley (Jeremy) Harding, Jacob (Kristi) Fouts and Joe (Corinth) Fouts; great grandchildren Kedrick, Gavin, Jace & Jovie Harding; Hazel & Eva Fouts; Maxwell Harley Fouts; Oliver Wilde; and many much loved nieces and nephews. Pop….after such a long, faithful, healthy and well-lived life, we’re just sure St. Pete had “that nice cold beer waiting” for you, just as you hoped. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Autumn Wind Assisted Living for six years of loving care, great food and especially for the extra outpouring of love and compassion during Harley’s last days; and to Heart & Home Hospice Care for their kindness and dedication to Harley’s comfort and dignity. You are all a blessing to our community. A celebration of Harley’s life will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at the United Methodist Church at 824 Logan St. in Caldwell. Interment will follow at Canyon Hill Cemetery, Caldwell. Condolences can be given at www.flahifffuneralchapel.com

We Entrusted Harley Fouts's Care To

Flahiff Funeral Chapels & Crematory-Caldwell

We have proudly served the Caldwell community since Flahiff Funeral Chapel was built in 1952 by Charles and Lucy Flahiff. Today, we continue their mission of providing the finest quality services to all families of the Treasure Valley. Many changes have taken place over the years, including the addition of the Homedale Chapel in 1964. In 1984, Flahiff Chapels expanded its facility with the addition of Canyon and Owyhee County’s first crematory.

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Tributes

Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Harley’s life with a heartfelt message.

Richard Schepler

Condolences to the Family of Harley Fouts, So sorry to hear of the passing of your father. I new Harley and Mary when they lived in Holdrege. They lived in my grandmothers up stairs apartment. In the summer, while spending a few days at grandmas I would go to Palmer Bros. and watch your Dad cut letters in monuments. Was very interesting to see and learn about. I'll always remember your father and mother as very friendly and pleasant to be around. I own the farm that was your grandfathers. It joins my home place. I did not know Harley's mother but did know Maud his step mother. I was a pallbearer at her funeral, filing for my father who was traveling. As a kid I would go visit her to see her canaries. I do remember Harley's dad to be quite handy with blacksmithing. I still pick up pieces of iron at the farm stead. The buildings are all gone now. I have some tools that was his. They were purchased at the farm sale. His last and only tractor was a Farmal H on steel wheels. Prior to the tractor the farm work was done with horses. As a coincidence I have my farm leased to cousin Wayne Fouts and son Jeff. Wayne's father was Trenton a cousin to Harley. With Regards, Richard Schepler 231 T Rd Wilcox, NE 68982 ph. 308 478 5402

Published March 30th, 2024

Vern Tieszen, Vicki and Chris

Sorry to hear of Harley's death. My dad, Vern, certainly misses him at the weekly poker game and I enjoyed playing poker with him a few times. I loved his hat with the pheasant feather. We will keep you all in our prayers.

Published March 30th, 2024

Vern Tieszen, Vicki and Chris

Published March 30th, 2024

jewel

Pop, thank you for all those wonderful poker games after Sunday night dinner. It was always a adventure when I would go with you to a cemetery. You use to love to take the pickup (brownie ) out of gear and coast down the hill by Marsing. You always had a name for all the vehicles. They cut down your favorite tree to take a nap under along the road to the Marsing-Homedale cemetery. It was such a pleasure being your daughter in law. Love you Pop!

Published March 30th, 2024

Tony & Julie Araquistain

Phil, Leona & Jewel, we hope the memories of Harley's long and wonderful life bring you peace and comfort;t our sincerest condolences and God's peace be with you..

Published March 30th, 2024

Vern Tieszen, Vicki and Chris

Published March 30th, 2024

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