John Elordi

John Elordi John Elordi passed away peacefully on Dec. 25, 2008. John was born on Feb. 22, 1917, in Nampa, Idaho, at Dr. Kellogg's office. He was the sixth of twelve children born to Gregoria and Damaso Elordi, Basque immigrants. John was raised and educated in Jordan Valley, Ore. He spent summers herding sheep with his family on the Elordi Sheep Camp in the Owyhee Mountains. John graduated from high school in 1935, and was the class valedictorian. He then moved to Boise where he studied accounting at Link's Business School, and lived at the Sabala boarding house on Main St. John worked for Hopper Motor Company for five years. After Pearl Harbor, John joined the Navy. He served aboard the USS Nevada and the USS Wisconsin in the Pacific campaign for three years. He rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer and worked under Admiral Nimitz. On Aug. 5, 1943, John married Emilia Telleria in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise. After the war ended, John and Millie moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where they raised their two daughters. Millie died in 1972. In California, John worked as an accountant for Safeway Stores, and later as controller and treasurer for Payless Drug stores. John finished his working career as head of accounting for the chain of New York Fabric stores. In 1983, John retired and moved back to Boise. John loved spending time in Jordan Valley and at the Elordi Sheep Camp. He was happiest being with his family, and fishing and hiking at the sheep camp. He enjoyed taking his grandchildren fishing, camping, skiing, and ice skating. He also had a love of gardening, and kept his neighbors supplied with tomatoes. John jogged and played tennis into his eighties. He is survived by his daughters, Teresa (Randy) Warfel and Laura (Steve) Hansen; grandchildren, John (Lisa) Warfel, Jennifer (Gabe) Weske, and Anne Hansen; great-grandchildren, Mick and Jack Weske, and Alex Warfel; brother, Floyd Elordi; and many beloved nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his wife Millie; parents, Gregoria and Damaso Elordi; brothers, Gabriel, Joe, Damaso, Thenon, and Frank; sisters, Carmen, Anna, Louisa, Geene, and Virginia. The family would like to thank the staffs at Willow Park Assisted Living, Good Samaritan Village, and St. Luke's Hospice for their kindness, and compassionate care. A rosary will be Friday, Jan. 2, 2009 at 7 p.m. at Summers Funeral Home, 1205 W. Bannock Street, Boise. A funeral mass will be Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Saint Bernard's Catholic Church, Jordan Valley, with burial following at the Jordan Valley Cemetery. Services under the direction of Summers Funeral Homes, Boise Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, 1111 S. Orchard Street, Suite 200, Boise, Idaho 83705; or the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, 611 Grove Street, Boise, Idaho 83702.