Andrew 'Lon' Huggins

Andrew ‘Lon’ Huggins

Bonners Ferry lost a longtime resident and neighbor on Friday when Andrew “Lon” Huggins passed away at Boundary Community Nursing Home on Sept. 27, 2013.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, in the Free Methodist Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, with interment in the Grandview Cemetery in, Bonners Ferry.

Lon was born Nov. 16, 1926, in Colorado Springs, Colo., to William Andrew and Della Mae Huggins, and he moved to Bonners Ferry with his parents in 1941, along with his brothers, Loren, Wilbur, and Harold, and his only sister, Della. His brother, Wally, was born three years later. Lon attended high school and worked at the local grocery stores, K>V Grocery and Safeway, until 1944 when he joined the United States Navy. Lon was stationed at Farragut Naval Training Station, Idaho; Whidby Island, Wash.; and Guam. In 1946, he received an honorable discharge and moved home to work in the lumber industry.

Lon moved to Kendrick, Colo., where he met Carol Crum, the love of his life. Lon and Carol married, moving to Bonners Ferry in 1951, and Lon worked as a meat cutter for Safeway. Between the years of 1953 and 1962, Lon and Carol had four children: Becky, Kris, Joy and Jay. To them, he taught the value of honesty, integrity, and a strong work ethic. He demonstrated how to be a good neighbor, always helping others by mowing lawns, chopping wood, and shoveling out driveways. He prided himself on teaching his family good manners and strong values, which they carried with them into their adult lives.

Lon began working for Bonner Motor Supply in 1957, retiring 34 years later. During his time off, he loved taking his family outdoors, visiting dams and national parks, camping, fishing, huckleberry picking, and hunting. He and Carol also spent many wonderful summers with their children and grandchildren, camping at Smokey Acres.

Lon lost Carol to cancer in 1985, but he later met another companion and life partner, Hazel McGlocklin, marrying her in 2010.

Lon was preceded in death by his parents, Andy and May Huggins; two brothers, Wilbur and Loren; and his wives, Carol and Hazel. He is survived by his children, Becky and Johnny Bacot, Kris and Ron Larson, Joy and Ron Wesselman, and Jay Huggins. He has nine granddaughters and 10 great-grandchildren.

Lon’s grandchildren remember him for his peanut brittle, sweet carrots, and fresh fruit, which he seemed to send home from every visit. His great grandchildren remember their Grandpa “Papa” Lon’s generous heart and endless candy dish.

Donations in Lon’s memory can be made to Friends of the Restorium or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.

Family and friends are invited to sign Lon ’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.