Claude Martin Reyburn, 97, was the last guest to leave a family party at his home and in his honor on Sunday, July 24, 2005. After everyone was gone, at 9:45 PM he decided it was time to go home, too.

He was born on December 2, 1907, to William Bailey and Birdie Ruth Perry Reyburn in De Witt, Missouri. When he was three years old, he, his sister and parents moved to Island Park, Idaho, to homestead a 160-acre farm on Henry's Lake Flats. He had four sisters: Hazel Marie Dixon (Walter) ofIdaho Falls; Fernie Ruth (deceased in infancy); Irene May Johnston (Hugh) (deceased); Stella Pearl Macklin (Carl) (deceased); and one brother, James William of Kittitas, Washington.

As a young man, he helped build the cabin and smoke house, cut hay by hand, milked cows, tended to cattle, and developed his hobbies which included a great love of the outdoors, hunting, and collecting guns. In the winters, he delivered butter and cream from the farm via dogsled to Island Park residents whom he enjoyed visiting with along the way, as the winters were long and lonely.

As a young bachelor, he helped to build the Island Park Dam, enjoying the work and his associations. He always tried to be on time, if not 10 minutes early, and to "do a full day's work for a day's pay." It was this work ethic that has been his legacy to his family.

At the age of 32, he met Ina Carlson, a neighbor of his sister, Hazel, who lived in Parker, Idaho. Ina "borrowed" a bucket of water and "stole" his heart in the process. They were married September 28, 1940, in a double wedding with Ina's sister, Ruth and her beau, Hans Hansen, in the Logan City Court House.

They are the proud parents of 3 children, Claudelle (Gene) Gittins of Hyrum, Utah; Lynn (Sandy) Reyburn of Franklin, Pennsylvania; and Terri (Gordon) Stuart of Wellsville, Utah.

They made their home in Island Park, where Claude was a guard at the Dam. Later he worked for the Idaho Department of Transportation in road maintenance. In 1960, he developed an allergy to his beloved pine trees and they moved to Amalga, Utah. He worked in the following capacities: for Cache Valley Dairy as a truck mechanic; and Utah State University as a custodian. Upon retirement from USU, he began working for the Logan City Landfill, and the City of Amalga as the first Amalga Town Hall Custodian and Park Groundskeeper. He and Ina took great pride in keeping the hall and park clean and in good repair. They always loved to work together and they did it well.

He and his old green pickup were a familiar sight around Amalga. Ifhe wasn't in the truck, he was on a lawnmower or walking for exercise (which he did daily). He and Ina loved Amalga and the people there. They reciprocated his love for them by naming him 1992 Grand Marshall in the Annual Amalga Pioneer Day Parade.

At the age of 87, a faithful home teacher and fellow Amalgans loved Claude into the waters of baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One year later, he and Ina were sealed for time and eternity in the Logan LDS Temple.

On New Year's Eve in 1998, he and Ina moved to Hyrum, Utah, to be closer to family, where they have resided up to his death.

He is the proud grandfather of Claude (Vicky) Gittins; Lyle Gittins; Julie (Lester) Hart; Dan (Missy) Reyburn; Heidi (Jeremiah) Lowery; Justin Jeppson; Julie (Jared) Desser; and April Jeppson. He is the proud great grandfather of Bracken Gittins; Crystal (Jesse) DeLong; Jessica, Measha, Mason, and Brock Gittins; Benjamin and Katie Lowery. He is the proud great great grandfather of Katie, Tyler, Jace, Austin, and Cole DeLong.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the staff of Hospice Alliance, especially Carol, Marilyn, and Millie for their loving and compassionate care of our beloved Claude.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, July 28, 2005, at the Hyrum North Stake Center, 245 Apple Drive, Hyrum, Utah. A viewing will be held that morning from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the same address. Interment will be in the Hyrum City Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Allen-Cranney Mortuary. Condolences may be sent to the family and register book signed at Allen Mortuaries.