Chester Doak Fulwyler

Chester Doak Fulwyler, A long time resident of Pocatello Idaho passed away peacefully on December 19th, 2024.

He was born July 14,1939 in Nampa Idaho the son of Nellie Ward Fulwyler and J. B. Fulwyler. When he was 10 years old, his Dad married Geraldine Keckler and the new family settled in Pocatello, where he spent the rest of his youth. He attended St. Joe’s Catholic School and graduated from Pocatello High School in 1958.

Chet served a total of 22 years in the military. He served 2 years in the Army reserves during High School, and then enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 19. During his military service he traveled the world to over 20 countries and 6 Continents. During the Vietnam War he could have elected to remain stateside, but instead volunteered for duty in Vietnam. He spent his last seven years in the Air Force teaching hydraulics before retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1979.

In 1964 Chet married the love of his life, Shelia Boyd. Together they had 4 children, each born in a different state – Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, and California. The family also lived in North Dakota and Kansas until Chet retired from the Air Force in 1979, after which they moved back to Pocatello where he lived for the rest of his life. 

As a young boy Chet took piano lessons and would often play for the family. He loved to dance and was frequently invited by the older girls to the high school dances, even winning a dance contest. Many weddings would find Chet on the dance floor taking turns dancing with his daughters, nieces, and granddaughters. 

When Chet retired from the Air Force, the family purchased their first home just off of Kinghorn Road in west Pocatello. Over time he finished the basement adding two bedrooms, a family room, cold storage, and a bathroom. In the warm evenings, he loved to spend time relaxing by his Koi pond in the backyard. After Chet retired from the AirForce, he worked for Hydraulic & Air Equipment and Tri-State Hydraulics until his retirement in 2000.

At the age of 49, he fulfilled his lifelong dream by earning his pilot’s license. He joined the Civil Air Patrol where he flew for about ten years, including flying on search missions. In his later years, he discovered woodworking. His handiwork, including wine trivets, shields and swords, intricate clocks and chairs, can be found in the homes of many relatives. Chet was an avid cribbage player and shared that love with the family teaching multiple generations of family members how to play. Fifteen two and that will do…. 

Chet loved fishing. His exploits included deep sea fishing in Hawaii for Marlin, steelhead fishing on the Salmon River, and fly fishing the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, where the family spent much time. Other outdoor pursuits included bird hunting, big game hunting, and camping with the family. 

Chet was one of the initial founders of the Gate City Youth Soccer League in Pocatello where he coached his son and daughters’ teams. Chet enjoyed being a grandfather from cuddling the babies to never missing a sporting event. 

He is survived by his wife Shelia, Pocatello. And his 4 children; Carolue (Steve) Klitgaard, Pocatello; Laurinda (Patrick) Woodward, Columbus, Ohio; David (Pamela) Fulwyler, Pocatello; Cheri (Daron) Henderson, Idaho Falls; Grandchildren: Chris Klitgaard, Josh (Anne) Klitgaard, Jessica (Aaron) Bowman, Jennifer (Nick) McAteer, Kathleen (Nate) Levy, Jeffery Klitgaard, Alicia (Zack) Popp, Denver Woodward, Jester (Nicole) Sword, Mallard Woodward, Ty (Krissy) Iwakiri, Alec Fulwyler, Alex (Kelsie) Henderson, Max Henderson, Dillon Henderson and Seth Henderson; and 28 great grandchildren; his brother-in-laws Pat Rowe and Wilbur “Sandy” Sandoval. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces. 

Chet was preceded in death by his parents, J. B. and Geraldine Fulwyler and his natural mother Nellie Hammer; brothers Mack Jett “Jim” Fulwyler and Hugh Keckler; sisters, Kathleen Keckler Sandoval and Linda Keckler Rowe; and great grandson Stephen Erik Bowman. 

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 PM on Monday, December 30th at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will follow at the Restlawn Cemetery in Pocatello. 

The family would like to thank the staff at the Veterans Home in Pocatello for their wonderful care and support. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the VA Home in Pocatello or specifically to the IVAL Activities at the VA Home in Pocatello. 

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