Kim Roy Vawter

1937 - 2016

Kim Roy Vawter
July 18, 1937 -- May 11, 2016
Kim Roy Vawter was born in Alhambra, California on July 18, 1937, and died in Emmett, Idaho, on May 11, 2016. Kim was the son of Roy Vawter and Bertha Lucero. From what we've heard he was a smart, independent, stubborn, hot-tempered, wise cracking smart aleck from the very beginning and he surely carried these qualities throughout his life. One thing he said many times about himself was "I may be a son of a b____, but at least I'm consistent." As a child, Kim's family made many stops around the West but eventually landed in Meridian, Idaho, where Kim grew to love the country while working his dad's farm. He graduated from Meridian High School in 1955. After high school Kim joined the Navy and served on the USS Paul Revere from 1956 to 1960 as a radar operator. He had many memories (and tattoos) from his Navy years and often shared stories of his travels in the Pacific. Kim liked the adventure of being in the Navy but, not surprisingly, he did not like being told what to do (a theme of his life). After the Navy Kim worked in California but soon found his way back to Idaho. After a few different jobs he joined the Department of Employment and eventually worked his way up to a position as a computer systems operations manager. He made many friends working for the DOE and had lots of good stories about his time there. Kim married Sharon McAllister on December 11, 1970. Their son Alden was born in 1973 and Elizabeth followed in 1975. In between having two kids, Kim and Sharon bought their "dream home" in Emmett. The home wasn't exactly a "dream" but the property was the real deal with lots of space to live the country life they wanted. Over the years Kim and Sharon had many Crabbet Arabian horses, cattle, chickens, pigs, dogs and cats as well as huge gardens and fruit trees. Dad loved to eat his tomatoes and cucumbers out of the garden and plums and pears right off the trees. For over 30 years Kim would get up each morning, feed animals, drive to Boise to work and then drive home to do chores before waking up to do it all over again the next day. His Crabbet Arabian horses were his main hobby and he called his outfit "Whispering Sands Arabians." Many weekends were spent traveling to places in the West to transport horses and meet other Arabian breeders. It all sounds like a lot of work (and it was) but Kim definitely knew how to relax--sometimes a bit too much. He enjoyed his naps on the couch, reading a ton of books (especially Louis L'Amour, Westerns, suspense/thrillers and historical works), having a nice cold beer, following the stock market and watching any and all types of sports. While Dad was never one to show much emotion or say "I love you," he would always shed a tear at the conclusion of the Super Bowl, the NBA Playoffs or the Kentucky Derby, among many other sports events. Kim retired early from the Department of Employment in 1994 and spent the rest of his life tooling around his property and being generally lazy. In his later years he took several treasured trips: one with his grandson, Grady, and his son-in-law, Todd, to see the Los Angeles Angels play and another to Alaska to fish with his son, Alden, and his granddaughter, Jordan. He loved his trip to Alaska so much that he made sure to go another time before he died. It was on that fishing trip that he told Alden he wished for his ashes to be spread there in the ocean where they fished. Alden and Beth will honor his wishes—and I'm sure Alden will catch one on that trip just for Dad. Kim was preceded in death by his mother, Bertha, and father, Roy; his sister in law, Cheryl McAllister; and his grandson, Jace Alden Vawter. Kim is survived by his wife Sharon (who put up with his crap for 45 years!), of Emmett, ID; son Alden (Becky) Vawter, of Middleton, ID; daughter Beth (Todd Noble) Vawter of Boise, ID; sisters Joan Lucas of Sacramento, CA, and Susie (RJ) Kunzman of Petaluma, CA; brother Blake Vawter of Lebanon, OR; special nephew Michael Highbarger of Boise, ID; and grandchildren Jordan Vawter, Emily Vawter, Grady Noble and Ellery Noble. The family wishes to thank the following for their care and compassion with Dad: Horizon Home Health & Hospice (particularly Isabel, Ginger and Denise), Dr. Thomsen and River's Edge Skilled Nursing in Emmett. A memorial gathering for family and friends will be scheduled at a later date. In remembrance please consider donating to Kim's grandson Grady's favorite elephant charity Save the Elephants (savetheelephants.org) or to another charity of your choice.