Richard Eldridge

Richard Warren Eldridge, 85, of Ammon, passed away September 30, 2026, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Richard was born October 9, 1940, in Rexburg, Idaho, to Wiley Fern Eldridge and Sarah Phyllis Wilding Eldridge. He grew up in Sugar City where he attended school and graduated from Sugar Salem High School in 1959. In his teenage years, he worked alongside his father and brothers in their logging business. They spent summers in Island Park, and returned to Sugar City in the winters so the boys could attend school. After high school, Richard attended barber school in Boise.

While in high school, Richard met the most beautiful girl at a church dance. During barber school, he would hitch hike home to date her on the weekends. On July 14, 1960, he married Karolyn Leora Anderson in Rexburg. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Richard and Karolyn made their home in Ucon, Idaho, where they raised their four children: Chad, Lance, Teresa, and Karlien. In 1994, they moved to Ammon, Idaho, where he lived at his passing.

Richard was an entrepreneur who enjoyed buying and selling businesses. Over the years, he owned several businesses including the Ucon Market, the Ucon Cafe, R Skating, and the Teton View Drive-In. He was also a talented craftsman who enjoyed creating silver and elk-tooth jewelry and handcrafted many beautiful knives.

Richard had a deep love for the mountains and outdoors. He enjoyed long four-wheeler rides and the fresh scent of the pine trees. No matter where he was going, he was always on the lookout for firewood. One of his greatest joys was the cabin he built in Island Park where he created countless cherished memories with his family. He also enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and shooting, and dutch-oven cooking.

Richard was a wonderful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He dearly loved his family and treasured the time that he spent with them. He will be terribly missed by all who knew him and loved him.

Richard is survived by his wife, Karolyn Eldridge of Ammon, ID; son, Chad (Nancy) Eldridge of Ucon, ID; son, Lance (Cathy) Eldridge of Ucon, ID; daughter, Teresa Walker of Irwin, ID; daughter, Karlien (Don) Winberg of Rupert, ID; brother, Dee (Mary) Eldridge of St. Anthony, ID; and brother, Michael (Nicki) Eldridge of Eugene, OR. He dearly loved his 35 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wiley and Sarah Eldridge; brothers, George Wiley Eldridge, Wallace Frank Eldridge, and Philip Neal Eldridge; and son-in-law, Steve Walker.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the Ammon 5th Ward, 2055 S. Ammon Road. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, and Thursday from 10:00-10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Sugar City Cemetery. Services may be viewed live at www.ammonstake.org.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.