Cecil Vassar

Cecil E. "Doc" Vassar was called home to Glory on Sunday, June 12, 1999 at Caldwell, Idaho. He was born August 14, 1903 at Caldwell to Samuel H. and Euretta Vassar, one of ten children. He often joked about his "misspent* youth, sneaking off to the pool hall where he learned much about the game and life.

Cecil married Cora E. Gifford on November 18, 1925, less than a week after her eighteenth birthday. Together they ranched and farmed in the Marble Front area for many years on the Vassar family place. Cecil was always called upon by his many friends and neighbors to doctor their farm animals, and at a young age was dubbed "Doc" a nickname he carried until his death. Hundreds of times Cora would stand in the front doorway and yell "Hey Doc" to call him in from the fields to eat.

Cecil and Cora adopted a baby daughter, Darlene, in October, 1943 and were proud, devoted and loving parents. The couple also raised their niece, Thelma, as their own. Grateful for their loving home, Thelma cared for Cecil daily and attended his needs with grace and tender love.

During their years together, Cecil and Cora loved to fish and camp. They enjoyed many fishing trips with their dear friends, the Matsumoto brothers. Cora passed away June 20, 1973. Cecil left the ranch and moved to Nampa and later to Karcher Estates where he enjoyed socializing with friends until ill health forced him to move to Cascade Care Center in Caldwell. Cecil was a farmer's farmer, a rancher's rancher, and a gentleman's gentleman. He had a rapier wit, and could always remember a joke, a story or a poem he learned as a child.

Cecil is survived by a daughter, Darlene Macias, Nampa, and her children, Rodney Evans, Debra (Clay) Gehring and Brian Evans and their families; a "daughter," Thelma (Dale) Deitrick of Caldwell, and her children, Tammy Rice, Lori Deitrick, Cori Pannell, and Faron Deitrick and their families; two sisters, Nora Kingsbury and Mable Bow; and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Emery, Ira, Bill and John; and sisters, Suzie Bodle, Grace Harvey and Gladys Corn; a grandson, Robin Dale Evans; and his darling wife, Cora, who opened the door and called "Hey Doc" one last time.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, June 17, 1999 at 10:30 a.m. at Flahiff Funeral Chapel in Caldwell, Idaho, with burial at Canyon Hill Cemetery. Viewing will be Wednesday, June 16, from 4-8 p.m. at Flahiff Chapel.

Idaho Press-Tribune, Tuesday, June 15, 1999 2C
Contributor: R.I.P. (47339884)