Doward Bronson

Doward Bronson, 96, of Idaho Falls, passed away July 9, 2024, under the care of Morning Star Senior Living staff and OneSource Hospice, surrounded by his loving family. In passing, he is reunited with the love of his life, Betty Rae Pugmire.

Doward was born January 16, 1928, in Preston, Idaho, the ninth child of nine children born to George Amos and Roxie Zelnora Dopp Bronson. He was raised in a modest one-bedroom home in Fairview, Idaho.

Around the age of 16, Doward and a friend moved to California to work on a fisherman’s wharf in Sausalito near San Francisco until he was old enough to enroll in military service with the Army. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1947.

A few years later, he returned to southeastern Idaho where he met Betty Rae Pugmire of Montpelier. Betty was five years younger and her father was the Montpelier Chief of Police. Those things did not discourage Doward from pursuing Betty who he described throughout his life as the “most beautiful woman in the world.” He married Betty on June 25, 1951, one month after her high school graduation, and on August 18, 1952, they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple, forming a forever family. During their 66 years of marriage, Doward treated Betty like a queen. He truly believed that he was the luckiest man on earth to marry her and his words and actions demonstrated it.

They welcomed their first child, Debra (Debbie) Rae, into the world while living in Soda Springs, and a second daughter, JaNell, was born soon after. Doward worked maintenance at an old power plant. One day the Foreman asked him if he would like to take his wife to Goshen, near Firth, to drop off a barrel of oil. After visiting Goshen, Betty said, “Goshen is so sandy, don’t ever bring me here again.” A short time later, Doward accepted a job working as maintenance at the Goshen substation. He moved his family into a one-bedroom home next to the substation where they later welcomed one more daughter, Terresa, and two sons, Joe and Bryce. Doward worked for Utah Power & Light for more than 35 years.

In 1977, the family moved into a house Doward built on 2-acres on the Goshen highway where they lived until 2007. Everyone felt welcome in their home, and Doward and Betty especially enjoyed hosting family and friends for Sunday and holiday get-togethers. Dinners at their home were always an experience with appetizers like fudge and nuts, and every meal ended with homemade pies. Meals were followed by board games or yard games. Even after their posterity grew significantly, they would give each grandchild or great grandchild an individual gift for their birthday and Christmas.

Doward and Betty loved to have fun and spent many hours on the lake teaching their children and friends how to waterski. In retirement, they purchased a 5th wheel camper and traveled the country square dancing with friends. They did this until Betty’s health prevented them from doing so. At that point, Doward served as full-time caretaker for Betty. He served in this capacity without complaint until her passing in August 2017.

An exceptionally humble man, Doward never thought of himself as better than anyone. He received national recognition for saving a young man’s life, but did not want any recognition. He was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in many capacities including stake missionary, scout leader, and temple worker. He served faithfully as a home teacher and minister even while living in an assisted living facility where he joked of his unfortunate luck to have had more than one ministering companion pass away.

Doward is survived by his children, Debbie Boyle of Idaho Falls, ID, Terresa (Fred) Chamness of Orlando, FL, Joe (Terri) Bronson of Arco, ID, and Bryce (Jill) Bronson of Ammon, ID; 19 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by Betty, his wife of over 66 years; daughter, JaNell; granddaughter, Cassidy; three brothers, and five sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Wood Funeral Home East Side located at 963 S. Ammon Road, in Ammon, Idaho. The services will be broadcast live at www.woodfuneralhome.com. The family will visit with friends from 2-2:45 p.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Shelley.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.