Wayne Roy Southwick

Wayne Roy Southwick was born February 6, 1949, at the LDS Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Roy L. Southwick and Doris Marie Jennings Southwick. He arrived during the legendary winter of 1949, when snowfall was so deep that his mother had to be transported to the hospital by sleigh to get over utility lines along the way. It was quite a beginning for a man who would spend his life seeking adventure!

Wayne grew up in the Bonneville County area and graduated from Bonneville High School with the class of 1967. He went on to attend Ricks College and Idaho State University and served an LDS mission in South Dakota on a Native American Reservation.

Wayne was a true jack of all trades, a man who could build, fix, or create just about anything. He worked for Bonneville Joint School District 93—the same school district he graduated from—as an all-around handyman, putting his many talents and skills to work wherever they were needed. His specialty was concrete and masonry. He was a professional mason who could take a pile of mud and turn it into just about anything. If it could be built, Wayne could probably figure out how to build it. He later worked for several years at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). His hands were rarely idle, and his craftsmanship was something to be admired.

But Wayne’s talents weren’t limited to what he could build. He had an adventurous spirit and a deep love for the outdoors, especially the water and the sky. He loved motorcycles, boating, flying, skydiving, and anything with speed. He was a pilot who truly loved to fly and enjoyed the freedom and excitement that came with being in the air. Whether driving, riding, boating, or flying, Wayne was always ready for the next adventure. And when he wasn’t off chasing his next adventure, he was always happy to enjoy one of his favorite treats—a package of Oreos!

On July 11, 1987, Wayne married Marlene Young in Las Vegas, Nevada. In true Wayne fashion, they celebrated their wedding by going skydiving together! It was certainly not an ordinary wedding, but it was the perfect beginning to a marriage filled with adventure.

Marlene was Wayne’s partner in so many of life’s adventures. She traveled with him often, rode beside him on his Harley-Davidson, and joined him for rides in his Corvettes. Whether they were on the road, on the water, or in the air, Marlene was right there beside him, sharing his love for adventure and experiencing life together. Their marriage was built on companionship, shared experiences, and a willingness to enjoy the ride wherever it took them.

Wayne’s love for adventure was something he passed along to his family. His children embraced many of the same hobbies and interests, including motorcycles, airplanes, and boating. These weren’t just things Wayne enjoyed; they became experiences and passions shared across generations.

Wayne was also a natural storyteller. His adventures and experiences were often so extraordinary they sounded like something out of a movie; except they were all true! His grandchildren loved listening to Grandpa recount his stories, hanging on to every detail of the incredible things he had seen and done. Those stories and the memories behind them will undoubtedly be treasured for years to come.

Beyond his talents and adventures, Wayne will be remembered for his kind and generous heart. He was the kind of man who would help anyone, whether a lifelong friend or a complete stranger. He never judged someone by their status or circumstances. If someone needed a hand, Wayne was willing to give one. His kindness was genuine, his generosity knew no boundaries, and he had a way of making people feel that they mattered.

Wayne passed away at his home in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on October 31, 2026.

Wayne was first married to Mickie Celest Wellman Demitropoulos, and together they had three children: Scott Roy Southwick (wife Tia), Ronald Reed Southwick, and A. Celest Southwick Birrer (husband Dustan).

Through his marriage to Marlene, their family grew to include her three children from her first marriage: Alex Birch, Emily Birch Peterson (husband James), and Macame Birch Jolley (husband Ben). Together, Wayne and Marlene shared a blended family of six children, 25 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Marlene; his six children and their spouses; 25 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Kim Southwick (wife Ho Hoa Kwan) of Idaho Falls, and his sister, Sandra Southwick Arave of Boise, Idaho. Also surviving him are his brother-in-law, Wendall Hill of Boise, and sister-in-law, Christine Louise Southwick.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Doris Southwick; his siblings Debbie Southwick Hill and David Southwick; his brother-in-law Arvin Arave; and his granddaughter, Lilyann Celest Birrer, who will always remain a cherished part of the family.

Wayne’s life was built on adventure, hard work, generosity, and a love for the people around him. He leaves behind more than the things he built with his hands. He leaves behind a family who shares his passions, a wife who stood beside him through countless adventures, children who carry on his love for the things he enjoyed, and grandchildren who will carry his stories forward.

He loved the water, the open road, and the open skies. He believed in lending a hand, trying new things, and making the most of the life he was given. His adventures may have taken him to places many only dream of, but perhaps his greatest legacy is the family, friendships, and memories he leaves behind.

The stories sounded like a movie, but for Wayne, they were simply memories of a life well lived.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 6, 2026, at the Orchard Patk ward, 2025 Jennie Lee Drive. The family will visit with friends and family from 9:30-10-45 a.m., prior to the services at the church. Interment will be at the Ammon Cemetery under the direction of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com.