BOISE — Emmett Guy Whitaker, 86, died Sunday, February 4th, 2007, holding the hand he loved most, his wife, Alice’s. Emmett was born on September 24, 1920, in a farm house in Downey, Idaho, to Guy T. Whitaker and Irva Wallace Whitaker. Irva died before Emmett’s third birthday, and he was raised by his grandparents, Thomas and Mary Ann Whitaker, and a very loving family of uncles and aunts. His father remarried in 1927 to Melva Jensen, and they blessed him with siblings Cloe (who died at the age of 2), Melvin and Marquretta. Melvin and Marquretta were a loving, close part of Emmett’s family for all of his life. 
He attended school in Downey and Montpelier, Idaho, where he graduated in 1938. He was very active in music and acting productions. He also earned a varsity letter in wrestling, boxing, track and basketball. 
In 1940, he attended Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho, where he met his future bride, Alice Randall. He moved to Ogden, Utah while he trained at Weber College Vocational School as an aircraft mechanic, and worked at Hill Field Army Air Base.

Emmett and Alice were married on June 14, 1944, in the First Congregational Church in Pocatello, Idaho. They moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, to finish out that year, but then returned to Pocatello, where Emmett worked for the Naval Ordnance Plant, and Alice worked for Union Pacific Railroad.

Emmett and Alice had two children, Steven and Joan. They spent many happy hours in surrounding hills camping, fishing, hiking and hunting together as a family. They traveled to a few national parks, the Pacific Ocean, Disneyland and many other interesting places.

Emmett taught both of his children and all his grandchildren how to fish. Steven, in particular, remembers many hours of productive fishing with his dad. Joan remembers many times of him rescuing her hook from strange places.

Emmett was a 50-year member of the Mount Kinport chapter of the Masonic Lodge No. 95 in Pocatello, Idaho. He progressed through the offices to become Worshipful Master in 1963. He was a member and a deacon in the Pocatello Congregational Church, and later a member of the Boise First Congregational, United Church of Christ.

Emmett worked at ITEX Office Equipment in Pocatello and in 1969, transferred to Boise with ITEX. 
In 1973, tiring of traveling and being away from home much of the time, he went to work as head custodian of Meridian High School. Emmett enjoyed the kids and staff, and he was a great favorite with them.

Emmett and Alice both retired in 1986, and continued their passion for camping and fishing and spending time in the mountains. They spent eight great summers as campground hosts for the U.S. Forest Service at Alturas Lake in the Stanley Basin area. They met many interesting people while hosting at Alturas, and many of these remained their family of friends. Family members and many friends have wonderful memories of camping, fishing, hiking, swimming, sitting around the campfire and playing boisterous games on the picnic table.

Emmett loved being with his family, and he will remain their hero. He is described by one niece as “grace under pressure.” He had a delightful sense of humor. His children will probably never know the real words to songs because they only heard the crazy words he sang. Grandchildren waited with delight to hear Grandpa’s comments because they knew they would be treated to a bizarre twist of words and great puns. 
We all spent many happy hours around the kitchen table playing pinochle and other card games. His grandkids were not satisfied with a visit with Grandpa without a game of cards. Emmett and Joan would spend hours struggling with crossword puzzles. He had a command of the English language that allowed him to play loosely with many words, and kept us all laughing.

Emmett brought stability and fun to everything he did — even joking with his last caregivers and then dying with dignity. He lingered long enough to hear once more the voice of his wife, Alice. He then left his weary body for a new and whole body in which he walks freely on streets of gold.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Alice Randall Whitaker; two children, a son, Steven Whitaker (wife, Cynthia), and a daughter, Joan Kauffman (husband, John). Emmett had three grandchildren, Jeff Kauffman (Lanae), Joe Kauffman and Stephanie (Whitaker) McCardell (Jake); and six great-grandchildren, Desiree, Brendon, Sierra, Joshua, Ashton and Riyle. He is also survived by his brother, Melvin Whitaker (Janet) of Brigham City, Utah; and his sister, Marquretta Tolman (D. Frank), of Honeyville, Utah; and other loving family members.

A memorial celebration of Emmett’s life will be held Saturday, February 10 at 1 p.m. at the Boise First Congregational Church, 2201 Woodlawn Ave., Boise, Idaho.