Fay L Messinger

Our beloved father, Fay LeRoy Messinger, passed away at age 104 on January 28, 2023 due to causes incident to old age. He was surrounded by his loving family. For the last few years he has been assisted through the love of his daughters and his sons-in-law.

Fay was born in Beaver, Utah October 15, 1918 to Clyde LeRoy and Hilda Parkinson Messinger. He attended school in Beaver and graduated from Beaver High School. He then studied two years at Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University) in Logan, Utah.
It was there he met our mother, Ina, the love of his life. They were married April 10, 1941 in the Manti Temple and settled in Beaver. He worked as a dairy farmer and even raised turkeys one year.

In 1951 Fay and his growing family moved to Boise where he started a new career path. He became an agent for State Farm Insurance and loved working and helping his clients. He retired after 37 years with State Farm.

He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and after retiring served a mission in the Philippines. He held many church positions, including service as a counselor in several Bishoprics and as a counselor in a Stake Presidency. His most recent calling was at age 95 to the High Council of the Boise South Stake where he served for three years.

Fay loved working with the youth. For many years he was in charge of the weekly Saturday night dances which drew young people from all over Boise. He spent many years working with the Boy Scouts of America as a Scoutmaster, Troop Committee Chairman, and District Chairman for the Boise area. He received the Silver Beaver Award on February 8, 1980 for his exceptional leadership qualities and devoted service.

Fay had an amazing ability to remember the birthdays of almost everyone he had ever met. He had a quick wit and loved to share stories with his family and friends. He enjoyed jokes and his favorite prank occurred when young grandchildren shared a meal with him. While he distracted the child, he swiftly removed their plate from the table and when the child turned back to the table, no plate was there. On subsequent visits, if Fay did not repeat the prank, each grandchild requested he repeat the “trick”.

Fay was the proud father of three daughters. The older two, Jeanne and Venna, were born when he lived in Beaver. The youngest, Mitzi, was born in Boise. He was never too busy to attend many of their activities and always encouraged them to live up to their potential.

Fay’s eternal companion and beloved wife, Ina, died in August 1982. After a time, he married Jean Bishop. Together, they travelled the world starting with a train ride across Russia shortly after their marriage. They liked to golf at his Terrace Lakes cabin and visit with each of their extended families. They had been married 28 years when Jean died in September 2021.

He is survived by his half sister, Shirley Morris, and by his three daughters: Jeanne Okeson (Jim); Venna Barringer; and Mitzi Bailey (Bob). He has eleven grandchildren: Kevin Okeson (Effie); Claire Pace (Eric), Kent Okeson (Heather); Carrie Matheny (Andy); Heather Smith; Amber Read (Brandon); Brandon Bailey (Sheilya); Jordon Bailey (Tessa); Tyson Bailey (Jesse); Aubrey Harvey (Kyle); and Alexa Christensen (Zach). He is survived by 35 great grandchildren and nine great great grandchildren (with one on the way) and by three step children, 11 step grandchildren, and 49 step great grandchildren from his marriage with Jean.

Fay was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Hilda, his siblings: Arlo, Walt, and Ethel Jean, his half-sister Marie and one great granddaughter, Jessica Pace.

He will be missed by many, but particularly by his nieces and nephews whom he faithfully called every year at Christmas.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to the Humanitarian Aid Fund at donate.churchofjesuschrist.org.

Funeral services will be begin at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 11, at the Rose Hill Ward Building, 3200 Cassia Street; the funeral will be preceded by a viewing from 9:30 to 10:15 AM. There will also be a viewing on Friday afternoon from 5:00 to 6:30 PM at the Relyea Funeral Chapel, 318 North Latah St., Boise. Interment will be at Dry Creek Cemetery.