John Head

Dr. John H. Head, 92, passed away peacefully in Eagle, Idaho, on October 3, 2026, surrounded by his family. John was born on December 17, 1933, in Clinchport, Virginia, to Dewey and Gladys Sloan Head.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on October 17, 2026, at the cemetery in Bellevue, Idaho. A celebration of John's life is planned for November 21st at 1:00 pm at Eagle Christian Church.

John is survived by Elaine Jacobson Head, his wife of 71 years; their sons, John Head and his wife Lori, Robert Head and his wife DeeDee, and David Head and his wife Ginger; grandchildren Tyler Head and his wife Caitlin, Alex Head and his wife Jordan, Katee Cook and her husband Casey, Lacey Hunter and her husband Chris, Hailey Miller and her husband Dustin, Austin Brauel and his wife Hannah, Lauren Brauel, and Ethan Brauel; and great-grandchildren Blakely Head, Ellie Head, James Head, Vincent Head, Bibianna Cook, Jack Miller, Tommy Miller, Luke Miller, Max Miller, Adelaide Hunter, and Emme Brauel. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dewey and Gladys Head, and his brother, Ray Head.

John's life began amid the hardships of the Great Depression. After his early years in Virginia, he grew up in the Bellevue, Idaho, area, where he attended school, fished, hunted, worked as a ranch hand, and played sports. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1951.

John's love of basketball became his pathway to higher education. He played basketball at Idaho State University before transferring to The College of Idaho, where he was a member of the 1954-55 team that was later inducted into The College of Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1953, he met Elaine Jacobson of Nampa at a dance in Bellevue, and they were married in 1954.

After graduating from The College of Idaho, John accepted a teaching position at Hailey High School, where he served as head basketball and baseball coach. Their sons, John and Bob, were born in Caldwell in 1956 and 1957, and their son David was born in Hailey in 1960. That same year, John and Elaine moved to Boise with their three boys, where he taught and coached at Boise High School.

In 1962, John was accepted into the optometry program at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, graduating in 1966. During their time at Pacific, Elaine served as the campus nurse, and together they acted as dorm parents to more than 200 young men living in the university's main residence hall. Their three boys fondly remembered having so many "big brothers" around. To help pay for tuition, John spent his summers picking strawberries at a commercial fruit farm.

Following graduation, John opened an optometric practice in Rupert, Idaho. He practiced in Rupert for 33 years, building a life grounded in hard work, integrity, and service to others. John and Elaine cherished the simple lifestyle and close-knit community that Rupert provided. The vibrant town square, Fourth of July and Christmas celebrations, parades, rodeos, harvest seasons, little league games, high school sports, church activities, and community events created lifelong friendships and memories.

John served as President of the Idaho Optometric Association, and was a longtime member and President of the Rupert Kiwanis Club. Alongside other community and educational leaders, he helped establish the Child Development Center in Rupert, which helped underserved children facing educational, vision, and developmental challenges. John and Elaine were also longtime members of Rupert Methodist Church.

John retired from practice in 1999. In 2008, he and Elaine moved to Boise to be closer to family and to enjoy following Boise State athletics.

John will be remembered for his humble service, faith, devotion to family, and commitment to his community. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, hard work, and generosity that will continue through the many lives he touched and the family who will carry his example forward.