Obituary of Phyllis Tallant

Phyllis Joyce Elaine McCullough Tallant

March 6th 1929 – August 21st 2023

Phyl was born in Shelly, Idaho to Martin and Virginia Simpkins McCullough, their third child on March 6th 1929. She attended Riverdale Elementary thru the eighth grade and graduated from Shelly High School. She attended The University of Idaho in Moscow where she was affiliated with Pi Beta Phi sorority.

While attending U of I she met her wonderful loving husband Jim Tallant of 54 years. After Jim graduated they moved to Ashton, Idaho where Jim coached at the high school for a year, then to Idaho Falls where he coached football and was the Athletic Director at Idaho Falls High School for 4 years. He retired from coaching and they moved to Boise to take a job with General Electric Co. He was transferred to Salt Lake City. They moved back to Boise where he was regional manager for G.E. He left General Electric and together they went into private business and founded Jim’s Appliance & Furniture.

Four children were born to them. She loved being a mother. She was a busy room mom at their schools. She was a volunteer at The Idaho Elks Rehab Hospital for 37 years and enjoyed spending time with her good friends.

Phyl and Jim traveled extensively to Europe, South America, Hong Kong and several cruises with many trips to Hawaii, where they loved to golf. The highlight of her travels was Northern Ireland where they stayed in the home her father was born in County Downs, visiting with relatives. The farm is still in the family since 1703. She was proud to be a first generation American.

She is survived by her children Greg (Cheryl), Stuart (Stephanie), Leslie, Michele (Marshall). Eleven grandchildren: Katie (Simon), Ivey, Devon (Jerrod), David, Shawn (Erika), Nicole, Andy, Zach (Katie), Ty (Carley), Noah, and Garrison. Twelve great grandchildren: Ella, Sofie, Harley, Ellie, Sydney, Alex, Sophia, Zyanya, Ryker, Beau, Harper, and Baylor. Sister-in-law Shirley, several nieces and nephews. She’s preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jim Tallant, her brothers Martin (Nell), Bob and her sister Betty (Ed).

As she said, “It was a wonderful life”

A Celebration of Life - Open House - Sat. October 21st. 2023 at the Cottonwood Grille 1:00-3:00