Daniel Paul Scarborough, 92, of Roberts, passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello with his loving family by his side.
Dan was born April 3, 1923, in Casper, Wyo., to John Jasper Scarborough and Nellie Dorrington Scarborough. He was raised and attended schools in Casper, graduating from Natrona County High School. His favorite subject was history.
When Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, Dan desired to serve his country. He made a pact with two high school friends, William and Kenneth, that they would all join the Marines, all three kept their pact. In January 1942, he entered boot camp in San Diego, Calif. In February of 1943, he boarded a ship and traveled for three weeks to join the fighting in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. William was killed on Iwo Jima. Kenneth remains listed as missing in action at Guadalcanal. Dan ended up fighting bloody battles on the Philippine Islands and on Okinawa, Japan, and received a Purple Heart. In Dan's words, "It was an evil battle. I was overseas for 31 months. I was one of the first to make it that long overseas." Sept. 2, 1945, Japan surrendered, bringing the hostilities of World War II to an end. Dan was overjoyed to be returning to the United States. He was stationed in San Diego for training and then received orders to Pocatello.
It was during that time, while on a trip to Idaho Falls, that he met Donna Edna Briggs. Dan was honorably discharged in 1945, and on Feb. 8, 1946, he and Donna were married. They moved to Casper, where they lived for four years and were blessed with two daughters, Maureen and Daneen. During that time, Dan served on the police force.
War with North Korea broke out in 1950, and Dan re-enlisted. He served aboard the USS Rochester until fighting ended in 1953. He continued his military career in California and Washington as a recruiter.
In 1955, Dan and Donna divorced.
He was serving as a recruiter in Idaho when he met Elma Irene McNeal. They were married in April of 1957.
In 1961, he received orders to the 3rd Marine Division, and in 1962, he served aboard the USS Princeton. In 1966, he was sent to Vietnam aboard an army ship. He was severely wounded when a rocket hit his tent. After 10 days and several surgeries, he was sent to a military hospital in San Diego, where he spent several months recovering. He received a second Purple Heart. It was 1968 when Dan retired from the Marine Corps and worked as a correctional officer at San Quentin State Prison for 11 years.
In 1980, Elma and Dan moved to Washington, and in 1989, his wife, Elma, passed away. He returned to Idaho to be close to his daughters.
Soon, he and Donna grew close again, remarrying Sept. 19, 1992. They made their home in Roberts in 1993.
Dan was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed traveling, attending military reunions, competing in sharpshooting competitions. He also enjoyed writing letters to the editor, crossword puzzles, bingo, pinochle and wrote a book "Incident at San Quentin."
Dan lived an extraordinary life, served his country honorably and received many honors and awards but said the thing he cherished most was his family.
Dan is survived by his daughters, Maureen (Dorian) Matheson of Roberts and Daneen (George) Bailey of Shelley; stepdaughter, Debbie (Fred) Galvan of Oceanside, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elma; wife, Donna; his parents; one brother; and two sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at Roberts 2nd Ward LDS Chapel. The family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Thursday prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Services are under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contribution to Idaho State Veterans Home, 1957 Alvin Ricken Drive, Pocatello, Idaho 83201-2727.
Published in Post Register Feb. 9, 2016
Daniel Paul Scarborough, 92, of Roberts, passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello with his loving family by his side.
Dan was born April 3, 1923, in Casper, Wyo., to John Jasper Scarborough and Nellie Dorrington Scarborough. He was raised and attended schools in Casper, graduating from Natrona County High School. His favorite subject was history.
When Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, Dan desired to serve his country. He made a pact with two high school friends, William and Kenneth, that they would all join the Marines, all three kept their pact. In January 1942, he entered boot camp in San Diego, Calif. In February of 1943, he boarded a ship and traveled for three weeks to join the fighting in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. William was killed on Iwo Jima. Kenneth remains listed as missing in action at Guadalcanal. Dan ended up fighting bloody battles on the Philippine Islands and on Okinawa, Japan, and received a Purple Heart. In Dan's words, "It was an evil battle. I was overseas for 31 months. I was one of the first to make it that long overseas." Sept. 2, 1945, Japan surrendered, bringing the hostilities of World War II to an end. Dan was overjoyed to be returning to the United States. He was stationed in San Diego for training and then received orders to Pocatello.
It was during that time, while on a trip to Idaho Falls, that he met Donna Edna Briggs. Dan was honorably discharged in 1945, and on Feb. 8, 1946, he and Donna were married. They moved to Casper, where they lived for four years and were blessed with two daughters, Maureen and Daneen. During that time, Dan served on the police force.
War with North Korea broke out in 1950, and Dan re-enlisted. He served aboard the USS Rochester until fighting ended in 1953. He continued his military career in California and Washington as a recruiter.
In 1955, Dan and Donna divorced.
He was serving as a recruiter in Idaho when he met Elma Irene McNeal. They were married in April of 1957.
In 1961, he received orders to the 3rd Marine Division, and in 1962, he served aboard the USS Princeton. In 1966, he was sent to Vietnam aboard an army ship. He was severely wounded when a rocket hit his tent. After 10 days and several surgeries, he was sent to a military hospital in San Diego, where he spent several months recovering. He received a second Purple Heart. It was 1968 when Dan retired from the Marine Corps and worked as a correctional officer at San Quentin State Prison for 11 years.
In 1980, Elma and Dan moved to Washington, and in 1989, his wife, Elma, passed away. He returned to Idaho to be close to his daughters.
Soon, he and Donna grew close again, remarrying Sept. 19, 1992. They made their home in Roberts in 1993.
Dan was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed traveling, attending military reunions, competing in sharpshooting competitions. He also enjoyed writing letters to the editor, crossword puzzles, bingo, pinochle and wrote a book "Incident at San Quentin."
Dan lived an extraordinary life, served his country honorably and received many honors and awards but said the thing he cherished most was his family.
Dan is survived by his daughters, Maureen (Dorian) Matheson of Roberts and Daneen (George) Bailey of Shelley; stepdaughter, Debbie (Fred) Galvan of Oceanside, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elma; wife, Donna; his parents; one brother; and two sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at Roberts 2nd Ward LDS Chapel. The family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Thursday prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Services are under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contribution to Idaho State Veterans Home, 1957 Alvin Ricken Drive, Pocatello, Idaho 83201-2727.
Published in Post Register Feb. 9, 2016
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Interred April 13, 2016
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