Dayton Carl Raff

Dayton Carl Raff passed away peacefully of natural causes incident to age on October 15, 2008.
Dayton was born May 15, 1917 in Minadoka, Minadoka, Idaho to Fred Emery Raff and Kathryn Lee Wilhelm. His mother passed away in 1936 and his father passed away in 1940.
He had eight brothers and sisters, all of whom preceded him in death. One was a twin brother, Datus Earl, who lived only 11 months.
His parents raised Dayton as a member of the Nazarene Church in Nampa, Canyon, Idaho, and he had fond memories of his Sunday school teachers, especially Mrs. Myrtle Snyder.
He married Evelyn Higginson on January 9, 1936 in Nampa, Idaho. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on August 1, 1937. Their marriage was solemnized for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on May 31, 1939. She preceded him in death on February 9, 1991.
Dayton later married Grace Marie Healy on November 20, 1991 in the Salt Lake Temple. That marriage was later solemnized for eternity in the San Diego Temple.
Survivors include a son, Terry, of Kooskia, Idaho, a daughter, Daylene Waite, of Oakley, Utah, a son, Stephen, of Orem, Utah, and a son, LeVern, of Kamiah, Idaho. The oldest son, Dayle, of Pleasant Grove, Utah, preceded Dayton in death. He had 34 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. His was a wonderful posterity.
Dayton graduated from High School and then entered the Idaho National Guard, Troop "F", 116th Calvary, on January 10, 1933 at Nampa, Idaho at the age of 18. His enlistment papers state that he was 18 years of age and was by occupation a Farmer. He had brown eyes, brown hair, dark complexion, and stood five feet eight inches in height. He attained the rank of Corporal on June 7, 1934. He was proficient as a Sharpshooter (30 caliber rifle) and Expert (B.M.R. 30 caliber). His horsemanship was Good. His overall Character was Excellent. He did not participate in any battles, engagements, skirmishes, or expeditions. He was honorably discharged at the Expiration of his Term of Service on January 9, 1936 in Boise, Ada, Idaho.
Dayton had many occupations during his life, which included farmer; apprentice carpenter in a Sash & Door factory; Carman for Pacific Fruit Express (Nampa, Idaho) and Northern Pacific Terminal Co. (Portland, Oregon); Sheet Metal Fabricator (Blackfoot, Idaho and Nampa, Idaho); Carman and Forman for Union Pacific Railroad until his retirement May 16, 1977. He was a custodian for the Nampa LDS Stake Center. He also became proficient in plumbing, cement work, electrical wiring, masonry, and furnace installation and service and repair.
Dayton served in many positions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including Deacon Quorum advisor, Cub Scout leader and Scout Master, Sunday School Teacher, Primary Teacher, Home Teacher, Councilor in two Bishoprics, M.I.A. Superintendent, Sunday School Counselor and Superintendent, High Priest Group Leader and Assistant, Melchizedek Priesthood Executive Secretary, Ward Clerk, Missionary with Evelyn in the Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Mission, and Ordinance Worker at the Salt Lake and Provo, Utah temples.
Dayton loved to play the guitar and would sing many western songs he had learned growing up on the farm and listening to the radio. He also loved to memorize stories and poems and recite them. Two of his most favorite poems were the "Cremation of Sam McGee" (Robert W. Service) and "The Day the Squirrel Went Bizerk in the First Self-Righteous Church" (The Mississippi Squirrel Revival - Ray Stevens).
A graveside service was held on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at the Cloverdale Cemetery in Boise, Idaho where he will be buried next to his beloved wife, Evelyn. Stephen Raff, a son, officiated and Jason Raff, a grandson, dedicated the grave.
We want to thank everyone for the heartfelt expressions of sympathy at Dad's passing.
We especially want to thank Harmony Home Health and Hospice of Taylorsville and Orem, Utah, for their loving care and services in the months preceding Dad's passing. They were certainly angels of mercy.
We would also like to thank Serenicare of Orem, Utah, for their help with the funeral arrangements and transportation of Dad to Cloverdale Cemetery.