Lonnie Park

1936 - 2025

Boise - Mahlon Shear "Lonnie" Park, 89, died peacefully on December 6, 2025, in his Boise, Idaho home surrounded by his family. Lonnie was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a respected leader in both business and community life.

Born on July 2, 1936, in Blackfoot, Idaho, Lonnie was the son of Bill and Thelma Park. He grew up in Boise and attended Boise High School and Boise Junior College before graduating from the University of Idaho in 1958 with a BS in Business.

A gifted athlete, Lonnie earned football honors as a receiver and defensive back at both BJC and the University of Idaho. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, and proudly served as a Smokejumper in McCall for five summers. Following college, he served in Korea as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry.

Upon returning home, Lonnie began a distinguished banking career spanning more than four decades. He spent 38 years with First Security Bank (now Wells Fargo), rising to Executive Vice President. After retirement he enjoyed a year of golf and skiing before launching Park Place Mortgage, where he found great joy in helping clients purchase homes.

Lonnie's leadership extended throughout Idaho. He served as President of the Idaho Bankers Association and President of the University of Idaho Foundation. He chaired numerous boards including the College of Business and Economics Advisory Board at the University of Idaho, the Boise Area Chamber of Commerce, the Boise Public Library, Boise's United Way and the Boise Contemporary Theater. His contributions were recognized with several prestigious honors including the University of Idaho Alumni Silver & Gold Award and the 1973 Idaho Statesman Distinguished Citizen Award.

Lonnie's greatest source of happiness was his family. He and his wife Annette Manser Park cherished special times with their family in McCall. They raised three children: Debbie Park (Jeff Williams); Jennifer Park Cox (Steve Cox); and Matthew Park (Amy Steurer Park). His grandchildren are Katie Williams (Jack Strong); Emily Park Williams (Kadin McGreevy); John Park Williams; Ashley Cox; Megan Cox Jensen (Andrew Jensen); Gretchen Park; Casey Park; great-granddaughter, Sophie Strong and exchange daughter, Naoko Suzuki. Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Pattie Gillespie, and his brother Tony Park.

Lonnie loved sports, especially golf, and found immense joy in his regular rounds with "The Crew". He often shot his age and achieved two magnificent holes-in-one at his beloved Crane Creek Country Club and McCall courses. He was also the proud commissioner of his family's fantasy football league and a loyal Boise State Broncos fan. He dearly loved his devoted dog Sharlie and cherished his Friday Stagecoach lunches with the guys. Curious and intellectually engaged throughout his life, he was a prolific reader who relished spirited conversations about current affairs.

Those who knew Lonnie remember him as bright-minded yet humble; competitive yet compassionate; successful yet grounded by honesty and integrity. He was a loyal, open-minded, progressive man deeply devoted to the people he loved.

A memorial service will be held in Boise at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at St. Michael's Episcopal Cathedral, 518 N. 8th Street, followed by a celebration at Crane Creek Country Club, 500 W. Curling Dr.at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to one of the following organizations:

Idaho Community Foundation Thelma Shear Park Memorial Fund

Online: https://godonate.akoyago.com/idahocf/fund/669a0386-1066-4087-881f-6bfb8c108f06.

Mail: Send a check to 210 W. State St., Boise, ID 83702, noting the fund name in the memo line.

St. Michael's Episcopal Cathedral Memorial Fund

Online: Visit https://www.stmichaelscathedral.org/online-giving and select the Organ Fund option.

Mail: Send a check to 518 N. 8th St., Boise, ID 83702, noting Lonnie Park Memorial in the memo line.