John T. Obenchain

John Theodore Obenchain, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather uncle and friend retired his earthly tent in the morning hours of November 19, 2025. Born to Elfred James Obenchain and Judith Amelia Peterson-Obenchain in Ketchum, Idaho, on August 22, 1932, he finished his race at the age of 93.

He is survived by two daughters, Rebecca Potts and Janice Eastman, their husbands Benjamin Potts and David Eastman, a sister, Lois Gundry, two brothers-in-law, Robert Gundry and Gordon Eriksson, two sisters-in-law, Nancy Obenchain and Lois Obenchain, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Elfred and Judith Obenchain, his wife of 71 years, Carol, his brothers James, Robert, Fred and Dean, his youngest daughter, Kristen, a nephew, Charles Obenchain and a niece, Sharon Williams.

Raised with his siblings, primarily in Idaho’s Blaine and Ada Counties, he typified a true Idahoan with a love of the outdoors. Whether camping, hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting, riding motorcycles or target practicing with various handguns and rifles using ammunition reloaded on his own equipment, vacations and weekends often found him traveling on one of Idaho’s highways to a favorite camping destination with his family in tow.

Another lifelong hobby of John’s was photography. He loved capturing scenic images of Idaho’s many lakes, mountain ranges and peaks while exploring the state’s wide-open wilderness. His camera also accompanied him to picnics at local parks or family reunions throughout Idaho where he captured the Obenchain family on film. Slide shows of his photographs were offered as standard entertainment at many family gatherings.

John attended Boise High School and graduated in May of 1950. It was while attending Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, Oregon, that he was introduced by a friend to his future wife, Carol Eriksson. They were married in June of 1953 in Portland following Carol’s graduation from high school before moving back to Boise, Idaho. Wanting to serve his Country, John enlisted in the United States Army in December of that year. He served a tour of duty in South Korea during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in September of 1955. After returning home to Boise, he and Carol began their family.

Blessed with 3 daughters, John supported his growing family while working for Oppel Harvester, a locally owned company that sold 62% of the sugar beet harvesters purchased in the United States by the year 1960. John also worked for Carnation Can Division in Nampa before starting his own business in the construction trade. He put his artistic and mechanical abilities to work building, designing and remodeling homes for a wide range of clients and family members who valued John’s passion for precision in the work he put his hands to.

As a testament to his clients’ appreciation for the value and quality of his work, their requests for his help with yet “another project” made it difficult for him to truly retire. Though well past the age of retirement, he was still working into his 80s.

He had a sharp wit, a ready smile and was known among family members for his jokes and teasing antics, much of which he learned from watching his dad. With his advancing age came the sad retreat of his cognitive function and the loss of his ability to continue doing the things he once loved with his life companion Carol. Although his need to be cared for by others was a difficult adjustment, he came to accept the attentions of his caregivers at Overland Court Senior Living Memory Care, the Boise VA Medical Center’s Home Based Primary Care staff and, in his final months, the additional professional support provided by the staff of First Choice Hospice.

As John’s surviving family members, we wish to express our profound gratitude for the attentive ministrations of all those who worked to meet Dad’s needs. Your courteous and compassionate day to day care of Dad, even when it was difficult, have been a comfort to us that words can’t express. We are grateful to Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel for their kind and professional support in attending to the final details in the passing of our loved one.