Earl William McRea

Earl William McRea

April 25, 1954 - March 28, 2024

Earl William McRea was born April 25, 1954, in Salmon, Idaho, to Marjorie Ellen Newton McRea and Terrence Earl McRea, joining his older sisters, Sue Ellen (Betty) and Sheila (Lockes). He later became big brother to Ralph McRea and his twin sisters, Sherri (Diaz) and Terri (Coburn). Earl grew up on the family ranch, mastering the ranching and mechanical skills that he would carry with him all his life. After his father's death, he lived at the ranch with his mother Marjorie and his nephew Cody and niece Sisi (Alethea) Vezina.

Earl married Charlene Peterson (Smith) in 1975. Cheyenne, Charlene's son, became Earl's kid, and they continued a relationship until Earl's passing. Earl and Charlene divorced in 1979.

On February 12, 1984, Earl and Denise Novack were married. They were married for 40 years. They were blessed with three children; Marjorie Rose, William Scott, and Earl Henry Doc McRea.

Earl went all twelve years of school at Leadore High School, graduating in 1972. He participated in track and played basketball, number 44, which would later be the number his daughter Marjorie played under. Earl had many happy memories of his friends at school, and began friendships that lasted his entire life. He went to Boy's State for government. One highlight of his school years was Alan Stanford's Science Club, which cemented a life-long friendship as well. He acted in the school play, worked in the library, and made friendships that lasted his entire life.

After graduation, Earl returned the next fall to Leadore High School as the River Route bus driver. He continued driving route and activity bus for many years and was the kids' biggest supporter. Earl drove his kids over good roads and bad, and these were his cherished memories. He studied Diesel Mechanics at Missoula Tech and was an excellent mechanic.

He loved his school and served in many ways, including being assistant coach for basketball. He was on the school board for 14 years, and served on the Idaho State Executive School Board for ten of those. He made sure rural schools were well-represented, and everyone certainly knew where Leadore was.

Earl loved his hometown and dedicated a huge portion of his time to helping his neighbors. He became an EMT as soon as he was old enough, and continued throughout the years until he moved to Dillon. He was also Leadore City Marshall and belonged to the Leadore Fire Department. Earl was active in politics from a young age. He campaigned for Frank Church, ran for County Commissioner, was Precinct Committeeman, and served on boards and committees throughout the years. He tried to make the world a better place by being actively involved.

Earl grew up on the ranch with his brothers and sisters. He had a rich and busy life. He played American Legion Baseball with his brother Ralph, and was especially proud of the McRea Family being part of Smokey's Cubs- the group of local kids who built the Smokey's Cubs campground at the mouth of Railroad Canyon.

As he grew older, Earl worked hard and played harder. He ran his family ranch, helped neighbors hay, became a competent cattleman who could do C-sections, worked for Coleman Construction, Peterson Metal Products, was a security guard in Las Vegas, owned Earl's Conoco Station, rebuilt cars and machinery, raced motorcycles with his beloved nephew Cody (along with Glen and Jerry Foster), owned and operated McRea's EE Cafe and Bar for 13 years, and continued to be an EMT, Fireman, Bus Driver, and good neighbor.

He was actively involved in the lives of his kids and his nieces and nephews and their friends.. He loved taking them to the Blackfoot Fair and the Lemhi County Fair. It didn't matter if it was 4H or Carnival rides- Earl was there to make sure everyone was having a good time!

Earl and Denise and their family moved to Dillon in December of 2004. Earl worked for Big Sky motors, where he and his daughter Marjorie drove together, delivering vehicles from the West Coast to the Dakotas. He soon became a bus driver for Beaverhead County High School, driving the longest route in the Lower 48, from Wisdom to Dillon. He drove for all kinds of sports and activity trips, and was a favorite among students and coaches alike. He loved being a bus driver.

As his health declined, Earl was cared for by his children and wife. Marjorie would take him to coffee in the mornings, where he enjoyed lively political conversations at the Longhorn, Klondike, and Las Koritas.

Earl was beloved Unkie to his nieces and nephews, and "Unk" to countless other kids in Leadore. He is survived by his wife Denise, daughter Marjore, and sons William and Doc; his brother and sisters: Sue (Rob) Betty, Sheila Lockes, Ralph (Kathy) McRea, Sherri (Thomas) Daiz, and Terri (Carl) Coburn; his nieces and nephews Cody, Alethea, Brandon, Nicole, David, Ginger, George, Beth, James, Jeff, Fawn, and Koby. He was preceded in death by both his parents.

Earl will be laid to rest at 12 noon, on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at a graveside service in McRea Cemetery in Leadore, Idaho.

Earl W. McRea

There’s going to be something missing

Out of a future conversation,

On the phone, at a restaurant,

Or filling up at a gas station.

 It will sneak up on us working cows,

Or turning wrench out in the heat,

After a big game day riding home

Safely sat in a school bus seat-

 The missing wit and wisdom,

or the just right thing to say,

The joy brought on by the laughter

of Earl W. McRea.

 The love and advice offered freely,

A big set of shoulders to lean on.

There will be some things for us to carry

That our “Unkie” passed along.

- William S. McRea, 2024