Earl C Chester

Earl Cephas Chester Jr. passed away peacefully on May 20, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with multiple illnesses. Earl was born May 29, 1940, in Pocahontas, Arkansas. He grew up on a farm where he fondly recalled spending more time fishing the small creeks around the farm than doing farmwork. His teachers recognized him as a talented student and although he was in the Future Farmers of America, he aspired to follow a different path. When he was a teenager, he unfortunately contracted polio. He was sent to The Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation for polio patients. It was there he began to take an interest in medicine and taking care of others. Earl attended Harding College in Searcy, AR where he again was noted to be an exceptional student. His professors encouraged him to apply to medical school, and he was accepted to the University of Arkansas Medical School in Little Rock.

After medical school, Earl took a detour and became a flight surgeon for the United States Air Force in Vietnam. During his time serving in the Air Force, he was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington. In Spokane, he became enamored with the wide-open spaces, hunting, and fishing opportunities in the Mountain West and desired to return when he finished his military service. After his experiences in Vietnam, Earl decided to train in dermatology. He had a brief stopover in Wichita, Kansas before realizing his dream of returning west and landing in Pocatello, Idaho. He was the only dermatologist in Eastern Idaho for many years and patients traveled long distances for his expertise. Earl practiced dermatology in Pocatello for over 40 years. He was widely respected by his peers and loved by his patients to whom he was fiercely generous and loyal.

Earl was an avid tennis player, fisherman, and hunter. He more than took advantage of the western outdoors while his body was able. He was a devout Christian with strong faith. He will no doubt be endlessly entertained by the chukar-filled sage brush fields, never-ending bone fish flats, and trout streams where his soul now resides.

Earl was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, and brother. His family cherishes the love, generosity, and time he showered upon them. The hurt of his absence is immeasurable, but we will forever carry with us his loving memory. He was preceded in death by parents, Earl Cephas Chester Sr. and Martha; father-in-law, Curtis Cox; his sister, Kay Eickhoff; sister-in-law, Sharece Cox, and his grandson, Andrew Parrish.

He is survived by his devoted, beloved wife, and best friend of 48 years, Carolyn; his mother-in-law, Wanda Cox; his sister, Judy Miller (Randy); brothers and sisters-in-law, Tracy Cox (Nancy), Darell Cox, Clark Cox (Dana), and LaRene Schvaneveldt (Troy); his daughters Krista Parrish (Bret), Kara Chester, and Shannon Marshburn; son Earl Michael Chester (Erin); and grandchildren Paige Parrish, Matthew Marshburn, Ian Chester, and Alexis Chester, and numerous nieces and nephews

The family extends their special gratitude to Earl’s longtime caregiver, Claudia Moreno.

A memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 1350 Baldy Ave, Pocatello, ID 83201 at 4:00 pm on Saturday, May, 30, 2026. To be immediately followed by a celebration of life at the Purpose Center, 224 N Union Pacific Ave, Pocatello, ID 83204.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a Donation Here in his memory to Grace Lutheran Church.

Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting the Guestbook below.