Obituary of Arthur Trogdon

Arthur Lee Trogdon 1932-2012 Arthur Lee Trogdon, 80, of Homedale, died peacefully March 6, 2012, at St. Lukes Hospital in Boise with his family by his side. Art was born the youngest of six siblings on February 5, 1932, in Merriman, Nebraska to the late Vernon and Hattie Trogdon. During his childhood, his family moved to Caldwell and his admiration of the Idaho mountains kicked off what would be a lifetime love of hunting, fishing, and riding motorcycles on old logging trails. He served two years on active duty in the U.S. Army (1954-1956) and continued to serve as a wheeled vehicle mechanic in the Army Reserve for several years afterward, obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Art worked hard throughout his life and always seem to enjoy his work whether it was operating his own garage early in his career or building farm implements at Ace Supply in Caldwell where he worked more than 20 years before retiring. After retirement he became actively engaged in his community by serving on the city's planning and zoning council and supporting veterans through the American Legion, Post 32, where he served as the Post Commander for approximately two years. Retirement provided him time to enjoy spending time with family and friends. Many of his days started by joining some friends at the local restaurant to share perspectives on current news events and of course, discuss the previous and upcoming Boise State football games. Dad is an inspiration to smokers who want to quit. After smoking non-filtered cigarettes for about 42 years, he quit smoking suddenly and abruptly in 1986. He didn't use any of the methods being employed at the time, such as patches or gum, instead he did so by carrying a box of tic tacs in his pocket where his previously carried his cigarette packs, taking one out whenever he felt the urge to smoke. Since he had smoked a couple packs a day, it was significantly cheaper to buy tic tacs by the case. Oddly, he always kept his last pack of cigarettes in the refrigerator, just in case he wanted a real cigarette. That pack is now 26 years old. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Yvonnie; two sons, Larry who resides in Maine and Don of Boise; daughter Kerrie and her husband Mike of Eagle; granddaughter Jennifer, bonus granddaughter Megan, and great granddaughter RuthAyn. Services will be held this Monday, March 12 at 2:00 p.m. at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. Relatives and friends are also welcome at the Summers Funeral Home, Ustick Chapel, 3629 E. Ustick Road, Meridian, Idaho on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.