David L. Humpherys 49

David L. Humpherys 49, of Sunnyside, Wash., formerly of Mountain Home, died Wednesday, March 7, 2007, at home, surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, March 12, at Resurrection Catholic Church with burial in the Zillah City Cemetery.

David was born March 28, 1957, in Emmett. He attended schools in Boise, San Francisco, and Mountain Home, graduating from Mountain Home High School in 1975.

After graduating from high school David started helping in the family funeral business. In 1976 he attended San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. After graduating from Mortuary College, David joined the family funeral business and attended Boise State University.

In 1978 he met Julia A. Waters. David and Julie were married May 26, 1979, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Mountain Home. In July of 1980, their first son, Isaac Verl, arrived, and in October of 1981 David Rich (Smiley) joined the family.

David and Julie had bought a small acreage outside of Mountain Home. Michael (Spudman) was born in February of 1986. After having children in school David served on the Mountain Home School Board for seven years.

The family enjoyed raising sheep and cattle on their small hobby farm while David worked at Humpherys Funeral Home.

In 1990 David and Julie moved to Pendleton, Ore., where he worked at Burns Mortuary.

In 1991 Dave and Julie purchased Valley Hills Funeral Homes in Zillah and Sunnyside, Wash. In 2002 they opened a new funeral home in Yakima.

David was a member of the Sunnyside Lions and Lower Valley Elks Lodge where he served in the chairs, including Exalted Ruler. He also served the organization in the capacity of Washington State Elks District Trustee, Financial Trustee, and as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler 2000-2001. After the Lower Valley Lodge closed Dave joined the Yakima Elks.

Dave enjoyed NASCAR, having attended the Daytona 500 for several years, and attending NASCAR races at Talladega, Bristol, California Speedway, Richmond Speedway, and the Darlington Speedway.

His favorite way to vacation was to cruise because he could wake up in a new city every day without having to pack. He and Julie cruised in Alaska, New England, the Mexican Riviera, Florida, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, three countries in Europe, and Hawaii.

He is survived by: his wife, Julie, of Sunnyside; three sons, I. Verl Humpherys of Boise, David Rich (Amber) Humpherys of Zillah, and Michael Humpherys of Sunnyside; his mother, Charlene Humpherys of Mountain Home; his father, H. Verl Humpherys of Boise; two brothers, Jeff (Connie) Humpherys of Dayton, Oregon and Gregory (Stacy) Humpherys of Caldwell; a half-sister, Jannella Humpherys, many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; and his two cats, Bucky and Satchel.

Memorials are suggested to La Salle High School, the Elks National Foundation, or to Northstar Lodge.

Condolences may be sent to: valleyhillsfh.com.