Colonel Al W. Farnsworth, USAF Colonel Al W. Farnsworth, USAF

Colonel Al W. Farnsworth, USAF, passed away quietly at his home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho on May 27, 2020.

Al was born to B.W. and Stella Farnsworth in Nampa, Idaho, on Aug. 6, 1924. He married Caroline L. Gauss Fletcher on July 13, 1949 in Grass Lake, Mich. They were married for 67 years, raised four children, and traveled to, or lived in, more than 38 countries, including Japan, Germany, Peru, Australia, Africa, Russia, China, and the Holy Land in Israel.

Al’s family moved from Nampa to Bliss, Idaho, when Al was 10, where he helped build the family home. He had a variety of jobs as a young teenager, including helping with the family apiary, helping his dad in construction, trapping muskrats which were sold to Montgomery Wards for the pelts, and driving a school bus. He bought a Model T for $6, and modified it, using his talent for mechanics and his creativity.

At age 17, Al attended the College of Western Idaho, for one year. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1942. The Air Force became his career, and he dedicated 30 years of his life to our country. During that time he had 29 permanent change of station orders, and the family moved along with him eight times. One of his duties was commander of NORAD in Colorado Springs.

After his military service, Al and Caroline moved to Bonners Ferry, where he devoted 47 years to forest conservation and tree farming. He received many accolades for his work, including Western Region Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year in 1985, Take Pride in America Conservation Farm Award in 1992, and Conservation Farmer of The Year in 2013.

He was a beloved member of the Bonners Ferry community, and was well known for his wonderful storytelling.

Al is preceded in death by his wife Caroline, his parents, two sisters, one brother, and son, Dennis. He is survived by three daughters, Ann (George) Stowell, Kaye (Ric) Kalman, and Sue Johnson; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; a cousin, Fern; a sister-in-law, Millie; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2020, at Grandview Cemetery in Bonners Ferry. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Auburn Crest Hospice in Bonners Ferry, or a charity of your choice.

A reception for Al Farnsworth will be held from 2-4 p.m. June 13 (following the memorial service) at the fairgrounds pavilion in Bonners Ferry.