Lee Brandon

B. Lee Brandon, 85, son of Ray and Mary (Jackson) Brandon, went home to his Heavenly Father on Aug. 21, 2014, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

B. Lee was born in Springfield, Mo. He was an honored athlete at the Springfield High School, being the leading-point scorer for the track squad and winning first place in the state competition for the 100-yard dash in 1946.

Lee moved to Idaho at the age of 17, graduating from Homedale High School in 1947.

Following high school, he married Arvilla Billings in Homedale, ID. They were married 47 years, until her death in 1993. They had five children. Lee often said that, "Arvilla raised five kids and him."

In 1947, Lee went to work for Idaho Power Company in Boise as a groundman retiring after 38 years of service as the Blackfoot District Manager.

Following retirement, he and Arvilla moved to their mountain cabin in Featherville. He was an outdoor enthusiast, passing his love for the mountains onto his children and grandchildren.

After losing Arvilla, he made contact with his childhood sweetheart, Dorothy June Riggins, a retired college professor in Cincinnati, Ohio. They had dated 58 years earlier in Springfield, Mo. He and June wed in 2007, residing in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Lee was active in several churches and civic organizations throughout his life. At the time of his death, Lee and June were active in Whitewater Crossings Church in Cleves, Ohio.

He is survived by his wife, June, daughter Bonnie (Jim) Canning of Cottonwood Heights, Utah, son Larry (Susan) Brandon of Boise, Idaho, daughter Jan (Greg) Matney of New Orleans, La., and son John (Lori) Brandon of Oregon City, Ore., as well as 14 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Arvilla, and their son, Jim.

A memorial service for family and close friends will be held in Boise on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 9:30 a.m. at Barber Park.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Diabetes Foundation or the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.