Garph A. Lords, 83, of Rexburg, died in his sweetheart's arms at his home, Tuesday, August 11, 2015, following a valiant battle with cancer.

Garph was born March 10, 1932, in Idaho Falls to Charles and Leora Lords. He was the oldest and only son and enjoyed teasing his 4 sisters.

He helped his father on the farm through his youth and began delivering newspapers in Yellowstone Park after high school. It was there that he met his wife, Jean Fletcher. They were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on Feb. 27, 1953. They enjoyed 62 years of marriage.

After they were married they moved to Pocatello where he drove a Coca-Cola delivery truck. While delivering to the Idaho State Journal, he received a job offer and began his career as a newspaper man. His career led him to Bozeman, Nampa, and back to Pocatello. He was promoted to newspaper publisher and moved his family to Bemidji, MN, in 1972. There, he served as Branch President of the LDS branch and President of the Chamber of Commerce. His work later transferred him to Oregon. He moved one more time and finished his career at the Rexburg Standard Journal.

Just before retiring from the newspaper, he started a local business called The Bed Place. He and his wife and daughter, Terry, kept the store open on Main Street for 25 years. He delivered mattresses until March of 2014 when he decided to retire again at the age of 82.

He enjoyed hiking, camping, fishing, campfires, star-gazing, western shows and music, his cabin, children and grandchildren – especially the babies. He loved meeting and talking to people wherever he went.

Garph was a faithful member of the LDS Church his entire life. He served in many callings throughout his life. He was a community leader in all of the cities he lived in.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Firl Green. He is survived by his wife, Jean Fletcher of Rexburg; son Kevin (Marilyn) of Tucson; daughters Debbie Ukkola (Dave) of Virginia, MN; Terry Dehlin (Greg) of Idaho Falls and Tracy Cormane (Charles) of St. George, UT; 20 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and sisters Sheila Young of Phoenix, Alta Laurence (Bruce) of Logan, UT, and Glea (Bryce) of Idaho Falls.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15 at the Rexburg 1st Ward Chapel, 314 East 2nd North. The family will receive friends Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be at the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of Flamm Funeral Home.