Alan Levor Doney

The man that told me he didn’t want a funeral because he would not be here and that he would not live forever—peacefully passed away at the Heritage House in Preston, Idaho on Saturday morning January 13, 2024, with his daughter-Shelley and great niece Marinda by his bedside.

Alan Levor Doney was born on August 16, 1930, in Franklin, Idaho to Levor Mendenhall and Thelma Wright Doney. He was greeted by his older brother Wayne and later a sister Geraldine.  There were 5 years between them.  From the stories told my Dad had the Doney sigh, a stubborn rebel side but also kindhearted.  Truly he was a kid at heart.

He was raised on the family farm where there were cows, horses, chickens, cats and dogs. He attended school in Franklin but at the age of 17—he stopped school and enlisted in the Navy.  He was a transport pilot stationed at Moffett Field in California.  From there he flew supplies to places like Hawaii and Point Barrow, Alaska.   Dad was in the Navy from December 1947—August 1952.

Dad met a young lady---Gladys Evelyn Olsen when a group of friends was going to Logan. As the story goes the only place for my Mom to sit was on Dad’s lap—so as they say the rest is history.  After that they dated for a year, then on September 8, 1953 –Dad picked Mom up at her house and drove to Elko, Nevada to get married.  She cried all the way to Salt Lake and while he asked if she wanted to turn around and go home she replied NO. They were later sealed in the Logan LDS temple on November 15, 1986.  It was a wonderful day because families can be together forever.

They made their first home in the Leadore-Salmon, Idaho area where Dad worked with Fife Construction building roads. They also lived in Pocatello for a while before returning to Franklin, Idaho where they resided in the little house on the family farm. 

On January 16, 1966, they were able to adopt a little girl with the help of Dr. Hawkes.  Several names were discussed but all received the Doney look but when Shelley Ann was suggested there was a smile and that was the name.  After Grandma Doney moved from the family farm to Franklin, Alan, Evelyn, and Shelley moved in.  They resided there until 1995 when the farm was sold and moved into a house in Franklin next to Grandma Doney’s house. Always good to be surrounded by family.

Alan owned and operated Doney construction that entailed every boy’s dream of the big draglines, bull dozers, slopers and big trucks and the smell of diesel. He moved the ground for Ritewood eggs in Draper, Utah and he also cleaned the West-Cache Canal company and other ditch banks. After he sold the construction part –he became Doney Trucking.  Alan hauled grain, feed for Writewood’s, sugar beets and coal for the Franklin County Grain Growers. Doney Trucking was sold to the Grain Growers and Alan continued to be a driver.  As retirement approached he drove mainly in the spring planting season and the fall harvest. 

During and before retirement Dad and Mom spent some winters in Arizona in a little place called Hope and if you blinked you would miss it.  There is a sign there that says, “You are now beyond Hope.” There they made many friends and went on lots of 4-wheeling rides.  In one case they said they sent home a letter and  asked if they should tell me now.  I said tell me what……Oh we were going up a hill with a mountain on one side and a cliff on the other side when the machine tipped over.  Just a few bruises and teddy bear cactus that’s all….we are fine. I tried to ground them for all the good that did. Parents….do you listen to your children??  LOL, he’s rolling his eyes at me now. 

Dad was a member of the Preston Elks Lodge #1670 where he served as Exalted Ruler. Mom, Dad, Judd and Joyce Bowles and Don and Joene Martin were like the six musketeers and went to Saturday night dinners and to many Elks conventions. 

Alan put on a suite when the Franklin Stake Center was built and never looked back.  He was the executive secretary/ward clerk, Elders Quorum secretary, Home Teacher.  He and Mom would do their teaching like clockwork every first Tuesday of the month. He was always there to help with the set up and tear down tables and chairs.   When it was Franklin 2^nd Wards turn for snow removal he was up and out of the house with the chickens to clear the sidewalks and walkways at the church.  Then he would be off to clear driveways of others. Elbow grease, dust and dirt it didn’t matter he would always lend a helping hand. 

Dad’s extracurricular activities were cutter racing and owning horses,  flying planes with Wayne and helping out at the Preston airport.  Family pinocle games, camping and cooking in the Dutch ovens, 4 wheeling, snowmobiling, Hand and Foot at the city building. Spending time with friends and family. He was a social butterfly once you got to know him.

Alan and Evelyn were married 65 years before her passing on October 29, 2018.   Because of health issues Alan became a resident at the Heritage Home in Preston, Idaho from September 2022 until his passing on January 13, 2024. While there he kept the staff on their toes, made them laugh….some cry. But he was pretty good at keeping a watchful eye on his Heritage family.

He is survived by his daughter Shelley (Sheller Ann) Doney of Franklin, Idaho. Nieces and nephews of Wayne and Geri’s families including Evelyn’s side of the family too.  With that comes the greats and great great nieces and nephews.  Plus, the kitty cat family Miss Panther, Grizz, Spice, Buttons, Fluffy and Gyspy. However, Panther was his favorite Ol’ kitty kitty as Dad called her.

Thanks to Dr. Beckstead and his staff for all the care and help with my Dad over the years. Also, the many doctors and nurses at the Franklin County Medical Center, Logan Regional, Cache Valley and McKay Dee hospitals when he was there at the facilities. The Symbii Home Health and Hospice team, Traci, Thelma, Joni, Janell and many others. Thanks to the Heritage House management, staff and aids that took care of Mr. Alan. A very special heartfelt thanks to Summer, Sara, Bree and Taneisha for taking care of my Dad, my cousin Marinda and myself Friday night-Saturday morning and making sure we are all comfortable.  Your kindness and compassion are greatly appreciated.

And THANK YOU to the family, friends and ward members that would always ask how my Dad is and was doing and took time to visit with him.  It is greatly appreciated. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the Franklin Stake Center, 106 E. Main, Franklin, Idaho.  There will be a viewing Saturday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church.  Military rites and interment will be in the Franklin Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers……be of service. Visit with friends and family, take someone to lunch, and pay it forward. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com

The services will be streamed live and may be watched Saturday at 11 am (MST) by clicking on the following link:

https://youtube.com/live/vTsVpKtrBoA?feature=share