John Anchustegui Jr.

1945 - 2023

John Anchustegui Jr.
June 3, 1945 - June 7, 2023
Boise, Idaho - John Anchustegui Jr. was born on June 3, 1945, in Boise to John Anchustegui and Narcisa Sabala Anchustegui.
He attended St. Mary's, Boise High School and Boise State University.
Although he was a city kid, he grew up hearing stories from the Basque sheepherders that boarded at his Grandmother Marie Sabala's Basque boarding house called the Del Rio in downtown Boise. His hopes for owning his own sheep ranch took root here.
He went to work for Pete Cenarrusa herding sheep around Carey, Idaho. Pete and Freda became good friends and knowledgeable mentors in the sheep business. From there, he worked for Simplot Livestock as a foreman, wintering sheep in Burley and summering in Soda Springs. It was in Soda Springs that he met his future wife, Jane Hatfield. Ten years later, they were married at St. John's Cathedral.
Around 1977, he started his own sheep ranch headquartered near the Snake River in Grand View, Idaho. Starting with one band of sheep, he eventually grew to five bands. Sheep were trailed from Grand View to the high country near Sun Valley and Fairfield with the help of a mostly Basque crew. Eventually, John got out of the sheep business and into cattle, but he always kept a farm flock on the Grand View ranch, as he was sentimental toward the sheepherding way. He also loved the ten dogs and uncountable cats that live on the ranch today.
John was able to buy back land in the Owyhee mountains that once belonged to his sheepherding grandfather, George Anchustegui. He was most proud of this accomplishment. And it is here that he ran cows in the summer. He loved the Owyhee country!
He is survived by his wife Jane and two special cousins, Jack Cortabitarte and Doug Sabala.
John's remains will be scattered in his beloved Owyhee mountains. A Celebration of Life is being planned at a later date. Go to relyeafuneralchapel.com for updates.