David Edmark

David A. Edmark Sr. 1925 ~ 2012 David A. Edmark Sr. died peacefully at his home in Boise on Sunday, March 4, 2012. A celebration of David's life will be held Saturday, March 10th at St. Michael's Cathedral in Boise at 2:00 pm. A reception will be held at Hillcrest Country Club immediately following the memorial service. David was born June 25, 1925 in Boise, a son of Karl W. and Olga Edmark. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Barbara Murray Edmark; brother, Dr. Karl William Edmark of Seattle; and granddaughter, Sarah Holcomb. He is survived by his brother, Thomas L. (Helen) Edmark of Caldwell; daughter, Mary (John) Risberg of St. Louis; daughter, Ann (Rich) Reed of Boise; daughter, Gayle (Jim) Chalfant of Boise; son, David (Lori) Edmark II of Eagle; grandchildren, David Risberg, Thomas Risberg, Bree (Jason) Sadler, Jason Reed, John (Martha) Chalfant, Sam Chalfant, Miles Edmark, and Alison Edmark; and dearest friend and companion, Shirley Severn. David attended school in Nampa and graduated from Nampa High School. In 1943, he entered the Navy V-12 officer training program. He served in the South Pacific earning the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the American Area Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1946. After the war, David attended the University of Idaho at Moscow and graduated with a degree in business. While at the U of I he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and met his love Barbara Murray whom he married at St. Michael's Cathedral in September 1949. After attending the Executive Training Institute in Detroit, he joined his father at the Lincoln Mercury dealership in Nampa. In 1960, after acquiring the Chevrolet franchise, he opened Edmark Chevrolet in Nampa, which has grown to also now include Cadillac, GMC, Buick and Edmark Kia which are still family owned and operated. David was an active member of the community serving as President of the Chamber of Commerce, the Canyon County Auto Dealers, the Idaho Auto Dealers Insurance Trust, and the United Fund. He served on the Board of Directors for the Better Business Bureau, the Idaho Auto Dealers, Mercy Hospital, and the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho. He was a member of the Nampa Industrial Corporation, Idaho Pilot Association, University of Idaho Alumni Association, the Arid Club, Exchange Club, Junior Chamber of Commerce, the National Auto Dealers Association, and Hillcrest Country Club. Business awards included the Distinguished Service Award from the Idaho Statesman, Quality Dealer Award from Time magazine, Boss of the Year from the Junior Chamber of Commerce; Chevrolet Motor Division Service Supremacy Award, and a 30 year Safe Pilot Award from the State of Idaho. David will be remembered most as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and trusted friend to all who had the privilege to know him. David fully appreciated life in the Treasure Valley and enjoyed hunting, fishing, water and snow skiing, and riding motorcycles and snowmobiles. Ever supportive, generous with praise, he was an optimist who never lost faith, whose fierce determination, sunny smile, and genuine charm provided an endless source of inspiration. His adventurous spirit and Christian fellowship will be missed by all who knew him. Our family would like to extend a special thank you to Dad's caregivers, Judy and Juli, and to the staff at Harrison's Hope Hospice. Memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, St. Michael's Cathedral, or a charity of your choice.