Small Town News

Rich E. Orme

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Rich E. Orme, 78, died September 10, 2009, in Idaho Falls from heart complications. He was a friend of many Island Park residents.

Rich was born on August 18, 1931, in St. Anthony, the son of Dean and Stella Miller Orme. He grew up and attended school in St. Anthony, graduating from South Fremont High School in 1947. He attended the University of Idaho in Moscow, where he received a Bachelor of Science in business in 1954.

After completing ROTC in college, Rich served in the U.S. Air Force as an officer from 1954 to 1957. Upon completion of jet flight training school in 1955, he was stationed at Evreaux, France, flying C-119 cargo aircraft in Europe and North Africa.

He married Doris Marie Kooch on Aug. 17, 1957. Rich and Dorris lived in St. Anthony and Island Park and enjoyed raising their three daughters and a son, operating a successful ranching business in the Camas Creek area near Dubois and Island Park. Doris passed away in 1981.

Rich married Margaret (Peggy) Bunting in 1983. They served together in the Idaho State Legislature and enjoyed traveling. Peggy passed away in 2003.

Rich is a member of the LDS Church.

He was active in both political and public service, serving in the Idaho State House of Representatives for two terms assigned to Education, Resources and Conservation and Health and Welfare Committees. He was a Republican Central Committee chairman for Fremont County, Republican Legislative District 28 chairman and president of the Eastern Idaho Lincoln Day Association. He served as chairman of the Agricultural Advisory Board, Idaho State Youth Services Center and chairman of the BLM Advisory Board, Idaho Falls District. He was a member of the Fremont County Planning and Zoning Commission, St. Anthony Planning and Zoning Board, St. Anthony Lion's Club, St. Anthony Jaycees, and American Legion Post 20. He served as president and on the board of directors, Sawtell Chapter, Outdoors Unlimited.

He is survived by three daughters, Allison (Mark) Giacoletto of Cody, Wyo., Shelly (Clinton) Clark of Boise and Kay (Jon Shane) Olpin; two brothers, Robert D. Orme of St. Anthony and Burton M. Orme of Seattle, Wash.; six grandsons; two granddaughters; and one great-granddaughter. He is also survived by his stepdaughters, Heidi Bunting Brand of Edmonton, Canada, and Sally Bunting Nihipali of Yorba Linda, Calif.

Funeral services were at the St. Anthony, LDS Stake Center, with Bishop Mike Carlson officiating. Burial was in Riverview Cemetery under the direction of Bidwell Funeral Home. The family suggests contributions be made to the Idaho Youth Ranch Foundation in the name of Rich E. Orme at The Idaho Youth Ranch, Tribute Program, P.O. Box 8538, Boise, ID. 83707. Condolences may be sent to www.bidwellfuneralhome.co m.



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© 2009 Island Park News Island Park, Idaho. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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