John Whitted, 87

John Paul (JP) Whitted, 87, died suddenly of a heart attack at his home May 15, 2005, with his wife, Milly, at his side.

Memorial services will be held today, Wednesday, May 18, at 5 p.m. in the field in front of the house on The Whispering Hills Ranch in Grand View, with a potluck supper following the services.

Cremation is under the direction of Summers Funeral Homes, McMurtrey Chapel.

JP was born Jan. 26, 1928, in Nampa to John Egart (JE) and Angeline Whitted.

JP was raised and educated in Grand View.

He met the love of his life, Mildred (Milly) Brewer, on a blind date Feb. 21, 1951. They attended the movies in Grand View. At that time the movies were held in the high school gym with folding chairs as seats.

They were married June 18, 1951, in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Boise. After their wedding JP went home to Grand View to milk the cows before he and Milly went on their camping trip honeymoon.

JP continued farming and milking cows with his father, JE, until he took out of sagebrush 160 acres with the Desert Entry Act in Owyhee County. He proved up on the 160 acres and built a house for his family overlooking the Grand View valley.

He had expanded the 160 acres, which he called The Whispering Hills Ranch, to 1,300 acres at the time of his death.

His philosophy on farming was: "God made the earth, but He didn't make it all green so he (JP) thought it was his job to make it green," his family noted.

Besides farming, JP's passion in life was fishing. "He could out fish the best of us -- especially at Castle Creek where family and friends gathered every Memorial Day -- opening fishing season weekend," his family said.

He also enjoyed hunting and keeping his farm machinery going with creative welding and baling wire. He loved to relax in Las Vegas with all the bright lights and action on the strip.

JP was a foster parent to over 200 children while raising his own children. He taught them Christian and moral values as well as a work ethic, his family noted.

He was a member of the Owyhee County Cattlemen's Association, The Owyhee County Historical Society and The Stewards of The Range.

"He was a very courageous man with strong loving arms and a twinkle in his eyes. He was a dreamer with a vision that soared like an eagle. A hero to many. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him," his family said.

He is survived by: His wife, Milly; sons John (and Diana) Whitted, and Dan (and Connie) Whitted, all of Grand View, Craig (and Sheilla) Whitted of Melba; daughters Heidi Belzeski of Boise and Holly (and Charley) Hutton of Bruneau; 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; one sister, Bonnie Foy of Pacific Grove, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the Grand View Ambulance Fund or to a favorite charity.