Donald Gene Fuger

Donald “Don” Gene Fuger, 77, passed away on Monday, June 26, 2023, at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho. Even though a failing body and heart took him away from this world, his loving heart left a beacon of light for all his friends and family.

Don was born September 23, 1945, in Pocatello, Idaho, to George and Grace Bacon Fuger. He was the youngest of seven children, and he always claimed he was the “angel child.” of the family and his mom’s favorite. As he grew up, he developed a love for the outdoors. His playground was Alameda Park located right across from his family home. Often, he would ride his bike to Cherry Springs to go fishing for the day. His love of fishing continued his whole life with family and friends. He camped and fished throughout Idaho but mostly in the Island Park area.

His other outdoor love was deer and elk hunting. Every Fall he was with family and friends in the mountains. After the hunt, they would all get together to cut up the meat and fill their freezers. At most family campouts or family gatherings, card games and horseshoes were favorite activities.

Don played City League Softball for 28 years. He competed in Fast-pitch, Slow-pitch, and ending with Co-ed. He was proud to say in all three areas, his teams qualified at least once to play at State Tournaments. He developed many lifelong friends with his association with Softball.

He attended schools in the Pocatello area, graduating from Pocatello High School in 1963. He was a member of the last graduating class before the new Highland High School opened the following year. Don served in The Army National Guard from March 1967 to July 1972.

Don married Adrienne Sinnett in 1967. They were later divorced. He was blessed with two children - Jennifer Dawn Fuger followed by Joel Don Fuger two years later. Don married Susan Williams in 1985. He was blessed with another daughter, Sarah Grace Betty Fuger. For most of his career, Don was a drywaller in a partnership with C and D Drywall. He always said he was the company's Executive Vice President because he signed the second line on the checks. Later he owned his own drywall business, S and D Drywall, retiring finally after 50 years in that trade. After retiring, he was able to focus on another of his great passions – gardening. He was known around the community for his tomatoes and for sharing them along with other garden vegetables while selling some to cover his gardening expenses. He would usually plant around six dozen tomato plants every year; always saying he was going to cut back the next year.

Don is survived by his wife Susan; daughters Jennifer (Cory) Christ and Sarah; son Joel; grandchildren Christopher (Ashley) Henry and Cortney Henry; and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Joan Christensen, Rose Linton, and brother Fred (Ava) Fuger as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents George and Grace Bacon Fuger; his siblings and in laws; Paul Fuger, Loa (Jim) Chaney, Frank (Harriet) Fuger, and Percy Christensen.

Services will be held on Friday, June 30th at Manning Wheatley Funeral Home in Pocatello. There will be a visitation from 10:00 – 11:45 prior to the service with funeral services at 12:00 noon. Friends and family will be encouraged to share memories.