Charles DeLoy Cecil

Charlie’s body fought a valiant fight against the dreaded virus released upon our world. But the ravages of the disease and the methods to help him just weren’t enough. And just like everything else Charlie did in this life he did it, on his terms. On October 7, 2021 Charles (Charlie) DeLoy Cecil stepped into eternity on the anniversary of the death of his mom.

Charlie entered this world December 21, 1947 in Idaho Falls ID. He was the 4th of 6 children born to Arthur Leroy & Ruth Levenia Cecil, the 3rd son of 4 boys.

Charlie, lived his whole life in Idaho Falls, most all of it out in Osgood, on a place memorably called Humming Bird Hill. Yes, there’s a story.

In fact, there are lots of stories; he and his siblings would get together and before too long the laughter, stories and memories would begin to flow. They really did have so much fun and the memories forever bond them.

Charlie attended schools in Idaho Falls and graduated in 1966 from Idaho Falls High School. Charlie served a mission, in Jacksonville, MS for the LDS church from 1967 to 1969. He attended Rick’s College from 1971-1972. He’s a Cecil, they already know everything, so I think he went to so he could meet girls.

Charlie joined the Idaho National Guard from Nov. 1970 to September 1976. He EXCELLED, in, you guessed it, in rifle skills. Yes, he had a story.

Charlie worked mostly in sales and he was good at it. Very good.

He worked at Sears, Monte Wight Motors, Rocky Mountain Toyota, Madison Ford, and by far his most favorite job ever OK Trailer Sales in Shelley.

Charlie had a long-term girl in the mix of all this somewhere, but he was waiting for Donna! And this is their story.

In 1980 Charlie met Donna Trosper TroBaugh. Charlie working at Sears at the Country Club Mall selling ‘stitchers’ (sewing machines) & appliances. Donna just transferred from Pocatello working as a manager for Foxmoor a junior sportswear company. Dessa Buckley decided that Charlie and Donna would be a good fit, and took it upon herself to introduce them. It was a perfect fit, and so began the Hallmark story of Charlie and Donna.

They were married September 19, 1981, opening day of pheasant season.

They had an instant family as Seanelle & Sean, Donna’s children from her previous marriage also joined the union. It must have been hard for young children to have a new ‘dad’, but Charlie loved them and tried to not step into a role that he felt wasn’t his. But he’s a leader and teacher, and did a fabulous job of trying to help get these kids raised as best they could. Oh boy, the stories, the teenage years

March 16, 1983 Rebekah Christine was born. Their story got a little shake up that day. Rebekah was born with multiple anomalies and was flown immediately to Primary Children’s Hospital. They were not able to hold their little princess before she was whisked off to Salt Lake. As they were not forecasting a good outcome for this little one.

She did come home, about 2 months later. They just took it one day at a time. Charlie was a loving tender caring father. A 5 & half year tender story.

September 24, 1985 they anxiously awaited the birth of their second child. With great hope and anticipation, they prayed this child would be okay. He was a beautiful baby boy, named Christopher Charles. He became the center of Charlie’s world. Always the center of Charlie’s world, the sun rose and set for Charlie in his sonny boy. Such a beautiful love; just unexplainable. A joyful & precious story.

Charlie the hunting and fishing king added coyote hunting to his list of things he loved to do and for him the fall months were created just for him. Never-ending stories.

After his family, nothing was as important as fishing. Fishing at Palisades, Ririe Reservoir and sometimes American Falls was his favorite thing to do. He didn’t ice fish many times, but he did enjoy it. If he didn’t have to put miles on a vehicle, you do know that lowers the resale value. I think he would have fished 9 months of out the year.

He was able to go fishing in Alaska 3 different times and Charlie & Donna had talked of doing one more trip in the next couple of years. Some of their favorite stories.

Charlie also loved the mountains. After owning dirt bikes and other various types of motorized equipment he purchased several 4 wheelers through the years. But by far the one toy he seemed the most excited about was his recent purchase and the one he waited the longest to get, his new Honda side by side. He had to wait months after he ordered it to get it. He picked it up this past August, and he was able to get in some really fun rides and was so excited to take his Donna ‘dear’ with him. They did make one trip and had so much fun, and had another on their calendar.

But that trip did not happen, that is the day Charlie entered the hospital. A story in the making.

On the evening of Thursday, October 7, with Donna, Dave & Jeanie by his side, we let our Charlie go. Chris was on the road home from Boise. Charlie called the shots; he was never late, always on time.

Charlie was preceded in death by his beloved little Rebekah, Charlie’s dad Art, grandson Zachary Hanson, followed very quickly by Charlie’s precious mom Ruth, only 4 months later. Also a name which is not family but must be included, was his old fishing buddy Willard (Bill) Clark, the best man at their wedding.

Charlie leaves so many who love him, of course his ‘pretty lady’ his pet nam for) Donna ‘dear’ the other pet name. Children, Seanelle & Scott Hanson, Sean & Melody TroBaugh, Chris & Michial Cecil-Cantrell.

Charlie leaves a legacy of grand children, Jakob & Karenna, Alec & Katrina, & Ashton, but wait there’s more. Great grandchildren, Alec & Katrina gave him Lilly, & twins Bryleigh & Brianna. But wait there’s more, but we do not have a name yet, because this little one’s arrival is pending. A story yet to be told.

Charlie came from a family of 6 and leaves his sister Shirley, brothers Dave, Gary & Ron, and younger sister Myrna. There’s also rather tidy sum of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, who will remember their uncle with such fondness. Yes, more stories.

And friends. FRIENDS!! So many friends throughout his 73 years.

We wish we could name them all, as he loved them. However, there are three who must be named. In the chronological order of when they entered Charlie’s life. Bill Harris, Garth Christensen, and Byron Price; of

course with these guys there are stories! Lots of stories. They were family to Charlie, and brothers to/for Donna.

If inanimate objects could be considered as friends, the boat, the pickup and the side by side must be named. Charlie cared for those just as he cared for his friends. God forbid anyone put a scratch on those ‘friends’. And there are stories!

Charlie simply moved to heaven, he is out of our sight, and remains forever in our hearts.

Rejoice in The Gift of Charlie. He lives on in our stories.