Calvin Ray Lamborn

Calvin is survived by his wife, Bonnie Lamborn; his children, RaeJeanne (Ty) McCutcheon, Melanie (Steve) Brown, Rodney (Sue) Lamborn, Ruth (Adam) Robertson, and Daniel (Jessica) Lamborn; 20 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.

Calvin was born in Laketown, UT, December 28, 1933, to the late Raymond and Lillian Lamborn. In his teen years the family relocated to Holladay, UT, where he continued his education. He graduated from Granite High School and received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah.

While completing his Master’s and PhD degrees in plant pathology and virology at Utah State University, he met the love of his life, Bonnie Duce. He pulled out all the stops, wooing her with Aggie ice cream dates, and they were married on September 12, 1962, in the Logan LDS Temple.

After graduation in 1968, Calvin accepted a job with Gallatin Valley Seed Company, which brought him and his family to Twin Falls, Idaho, where he resided for the duration of his life.

As a plant breeder, Calvin was well known as the Father of the Snap Pea. In 1979 he was the recipient of the All American Selections National Gold Award for the Sugar Snap Pea and in 1984 he received National Silver Award for the Sugar Ann. Throughout his career he received additional prestigious honors and awards, as well as acclaim from top chefs in the country.

Calvin cared deeply for people and their quality of life. On a trip to visit pea fields in Africa, he was touched seeing women with their children strapped to their backs while stooping down to pick peas. He made it his mission to develop new varietals that would produce peas higher on the vine, significantly reducing the strain on these mothers’ backs.

Calvin loved breeding plants and inventing machinery, and he was an amazing story-teller.

He enjoyed teaching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren the art of weeding and searching in the fields for that “one” special plant, and he always rewarded them generously for their efforts.

He loved spending time in the mountains, with his favorite destination being Bear Lake. On the annual Lamborn Family Reunion at Rendezvous Beach, his family would sit around the fire pit eagerly taking in his stories about growing up as a sheepherder and slayer of rattlesnakes, as well as his beloved bear stories.

Calvin was an active member of the LDS church. He served a two-year mission in Australia and held numerous church positions throughout his life, including ward and stake callings and, most recently, service as a temple worker.

He was also involved in civic affairs, including serving 16 years on the Twin Falls School District School Board. His service gave all of his children the special honor of walking across the stage at high school graduation to receive their diplomas from their father.

The family would like to thank the physicians, nurses, and staff of Mountain States Tumor Institute and the staff of Heritage Hospice for their expertise and loving, compassionate care.

Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at the Twin Falls South Stake Center LDS Church, 541 Orchard Drive, Twin Falls, Idaho with Bishop John Powlus conducting. Viewing for family and friends will be on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at White Mortuary, 136 4th Avenue East, Twin Falls, Idaho; as well as from 9:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. at the LDS church. Services are under the direction of White Mortuary, Chapel by the Park, Twin Falls.

The burial will be at the Hyde Park Cemetery, Hyde Park, Utah at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2017.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to LDS Humanitarian Services or the American Cancer Society.

We miss you, Calvin, Dad, Grandpa, Great-grandpa, and friend.

“Life is Good. Thank you for being you.”

Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.whitemortuary.com.