Joe E. Couch

1930-2007 Joe Couch, surrounded by his family, died on Feb. 13, 2007 following a fierce, but short, battle with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. He was born June 5, 1930 in Salem, Ore., the second of four children, to Lyle Couch and Inez Penny Couch, growing up in Idaho, Oklahoma, Washington, and Oregon. Upon graduating from Nampa High School in 1949, he enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Great Falls, Mont. serving in the Korean War, with a tour in Okinawa. He worked as an airplane mechanic, serving from 1950 until 1954. After returning from the service he married Mary Stuart of Nampa on March 7, 1954 and had two boys and three girls. They lived initially in Nampa, Idaho and moved to Meridian in 1963. Joe attended Boise Junior College completing drafting courses. He worked as a Traffic Technician, proudly serving the Idaho Transportation Departments Traffic Section by designing safe roadways for 36 years. Joe enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, ATVing, traveling, and driving down roads to see where they went. His famous words were ÒWe aren´t lost; we are sight seeing.Ó Joe and Mary were snowbirds, spending time in Arizona. He also enjoyed fishing trips on the Washington coast with family and friends. Joe spent many happy days at the family cabin on West Mountain at Cascade Reservoir. He was always a gracious host, inviting family and friends to join him there. When we were lucky, he would make up a batch of delicious homemade ice cream, hand-churned on the cabin deck. He was active in the Southside Boulevard United Methodist Church, and had vision of what the church could become. He loved working on his vehicles, and went through a series of bigger boats. The family has memories of him rebuilding a carburetor or two on the dining room table. He loved spending time in his yard, feeding the birds, gardening, and messing with engines. He loved archery, and spent time hunting the backcountry as a teenager. Joe was preceded in death by his mother Inez, his father, Lyle, and his brother, Luther. Joe is survived by his wife Mary; his brother Paul Couch, Apache Junction, Ariz.; his sister Betty Parkhurst, Spray, Ore.; his Aunt Eleanor Penny, Nampa, Idaho; and his children: David (Debi) Couch of Lewiston, Idaho; Mary Jo (Ron) Moren of Boise, Idaho; Kathleen (Frank) Eld of Donnelly, Idaho; Susan (Scot) Kump of New Meadows, Idaho; and Kenneth Couch (Sharlene Barrett) of Nampa, Idaho; Grandchildren Joe Grosso, Sarah Wallace, Scott Couch, Fred McFadden, Heidi Couch, and Paige Moren; great grandchildren Cody, Conner, and Max, and many special nieces and nephews. A celebration of Joe´s life will be held on March 17, 2007 from 2 - 4 p.m. at Southside Boulevard United Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Cloverdale Funeral Home. The family suggest memorials be made to the Southside Blvd. United Methodist Church Building Fund, 5420 Southside Blvd. Nampa, Idaho 83636 or Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. PO Box 1903, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433.