Herbert Fritzley

My Life Story Herb Fritzley passed away in the early morning of October 29, 2015 due to congestive heart failure. Herb was surrounded and supported during this illness by Sandra, his wife of 61 years; as well as his 5 children, 11 grandkids and 8 great grandkids. Herb was also well loved and supported by his friends and neighbors from Homedale, and across the Treasure Valley, based on his over 50 years living and working in Homedale – and his dedicated golfing for over 40 years at Purple Sage. Herb was the first child born to Maitland Fritzley and Hazel Keating on January 30, 1930 in Seattle, Washington. Over the coming years he was followed by sister, Geraldine, brother, James, and finally, youngest sister, Patsy. It was a struggle for the young family being formed in the heart of the Great Depression and there were many dramatic changes forced upon the family moving from Seattle to Lewiston, to Wenatchee, back to Seattle, and finally settling in Moscow. It was in Moscow where Herb went to high school and then on to the University of Idaho completing both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education. It was also in Moscow where Herb’s mother passed when he was just 19 and she was only 38, with Herb taking on the responsibility for his siblings for the next many years as Herb’s father had left the family years earlier. Herb met Sandra Tovey at Chatcolet, ID during the summer of 1953. They were married in the funeral chapel in Saint Maries, ID on August 20, 1954 for what became a 61 year partnership in having and raising five children: Tim, Rich, Cathie, Julie and Andrea. Shortly after marrying Sandra, Herb was called into the Army and was stationed in Germany with Tim being born while he was in Germany. Upon his discharge from the Army and the completion of his Master’s degree, Herb made what was to be over a 50 year commitment to a small town in SW Idaho he and Sandra had never been to. The family, which by then had added Richard, and Cathie, packed up and moved to Homedale in the summer of 1961. Homedale became Herb’s second family from which he never wavered. It was also in Homedale where Herb and Sandra’s family was completed with the addition of Julie and Andrea. After two years of teaching Junior High, Herb spent the next 30 years as principal, initially for grades 1 through 8, and then K through 6 when a new Junior High was built by the High School. Until his retirement in 1992, Herb was responsible for educating and guiding thousands of children during their formative years, as well as creating and running a great educational program with dedicated teachers and staff. Herb was involved at the national level of education being on the National Migrant Education Council as well as the National Education Task Force for Math. Herb was very active in the community serving on the city council for over 14 years and on planning and zoning for another 13 years. This was in addition to the many other civic clubs and organizations of which he was a member and volunteer – one of his favorites being the Owyhee County Fair and Rodeo. Herb was also an active member of the Homedale Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving for many years as a ward clerk and executive secretary. Herb and Sandra were sealed in the Idaho Falls temple. The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the teams at Heart and Home Hospice and Treasure Valley Care Center of Treasure Valley for their great care of Herb during his illness. Their dedication, skill and compassion in caring for Herb are greatly appreciated. Herb is survived by Sandra, Tim and Denise Fritzley, Richard and Kathleen Fritzley, Cathie and Clint Bodene, Julie and Scott Leslie, Andrea Williford, 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren (with more on the way). Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 4th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 708 W. Idaho Ave. in Homedale, with visitation beginning at 9:00 AM. Military honors will follow at 2:00 PM at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 10100 Horseshoe Bend Rd. in Boise. Services are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home, Meridian. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Homedale Elementary School or your local hospice program.