Roy Everett Day
Roy Everett Day, our beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and Great-Great-Grandfather, , went to the arms of his loving Holy Father on June 3, 2016, one day before celebrating his 67th Wedding Anniversary. He passed peacefully at home with family at his side. Free from wheelchair and scooter, nausea and pain, and now stands tall – can walk, talk, dance and sing with the angels. A private service to be held at Grandview Cemetery. Memorial Service to be held on Saturday, June 11th at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Bonners Ferry, Idaho at 1:00 p.m.
He was born in Colfax, WA on January 7, 1931 to Lewis Willard and Wanda Ellen (Hodge) Day. Around age 4 his parents divorced and he was raised by his grandparents RW and Mary Anne Day on the farm outside of Colfax. He rode his pony to a one-room schoolhouse his first year. The students were bussed to Hamilton Grade School his second year and later to Colfax High School where he excelled in football and was on one of the State B Championship basketball teams. He attended University of Washington, a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and played football until he injured his knee. He met the love of his life, Sammie Jean Littleton, at a school dance in 1944. They were married in Oakesdale, WA in 1949 and blessed with 3 children: Randall Willard (Randy), Cynthia Lee (Sis), and Russell Steven (Steve).
Roy was a dedicated, hard worker who went from a salesman to achieving his dream of farming by creating his own Agricultural Chemical Business in 1964 known as D&D Service. In 1973 he brought the first liquid fertilizer to the Kootenai Valley and also the first floating 3-wheel spraying machine. That same year he expanded his business to the Rathdrum area and worked it until the day came when he said, “more houses are being planted than grass.” He was a past member of Colfax Washington Jaycees; Enterprise Oregon Elks Club; Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce, Masons, Kiwanis (President and Lt. Governor); sat on the Board of Review for Eagle Scouts and coached Kiwanis basketball. He was a member of the North Idaho Officials Association where he refereed football and basketball. He loved his God, his family, friends and community with all his heart. He was always ready to lend a helping hand. He enjoyed flying his plane, boating on Ponderay, hunting and fishing, bowling and golfing, and cutting down Christmas trees for friends and neighbors. When his business expanded, he sold his “toys” and became a workaholic.
Roy was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church since 1961 where he served on the Church Council and many committees when asked. In the mid-1960’s when Roy was the Sunday School Superintendent and Mrs. Chris Taft was Junior Choir Director, they produced the first outdoor living Christmas tree. He’ll always be remembered as the substitute Pastor who had a window shatter while preaching.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, two brothers (Norman and Willard), son Randy, son-in-law Bob Day-Phalen, and grand son-in-law Kevin Bennett. He is survived by his wife Sammie, daughter Cynthia, son Steve, 9 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson.
The family suggests memorials be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 911 W. 5th Ave., Spokane, WA 99204 in memory of Roy Day.