Spence William Cowley

Spence William Cowley,42, of Shelley passed away October 17, 2022 in Arco while working for the Bureau of Land Management.

Spence was born July, 9th 1980 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was the 1st child of John and Diana Cowley and later became the loving older brother to four sisters and one long awaited little brother. They loved and looked up to him as a leader. A role he fulfilled with kindness, patience, gratitude and a fun-loving and easy-going attitude. He grew up playing with his cousins and loved spending time running around his grandparents’ dairy farm.

He attended Shelley High School where he excelled in football and wrestling. After graduating he went to ISU where he put his determination and strength to work and ended up being a walk-on to the college football team. His family, especially his dad, was so proud of his determination and grit.

In 1999 he began working as a rookie firefighter for the BLM. He would continue working for the BLM for 23 yrs. He loved his job, meeting new people and traveling to new places to fight fires. He was currently a Prescribed fire and fuel technician, or as he liked to put it, "set up and run mini cities wherever there was a fire".

After being part of a big family, Spence wanted to create one of his own. He married Joy Rockwood in 2006 and became a loving dad to Taylor Rockwood. He thrived as a husband and dad, creating a loving home. In 2013 Dalton “Peanut”, his son, completed their family. He loved his children, and shared his hobbies with them. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding 4-wheelers, and loved coaching Dalton in football and soccer.

He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, determination, grit and his selflessness. He was always willing to help, especially if it involved heavy lifting. He might have looked big and burly on the outside, but was truly a gentle giant. He has left a hole in our family that can never be replaced. We love and miss him.

He is preceded in death by his sister Shasta, Grandparents Jim and Melba Bazil, Doree’ (Sally) Cowley, Deanna Cowley, Bruce Rockwood, & Father-in-Law Richard (Doc) Rockwood

He survived by his wife, Joy Cowley of Shelley, daughter, Taylor Rockwood of Idaho Falls, son, Dalton “Peanut” Cowley of Shelley, parents, John & Diana Cowley of Shelley, Siblings: Shiloh (Gibson) of Delta, Utah, Mikayla (Kellen) of Roberts, Mariah Cowley Idaho Falls, Koltin (Skye) Cowley of Shelley, grandpa, Julian Cowley of Idaho falls, sister-in-law, Hidy Rockwood of Rigby, mother-in-law, Lois Rockwood of Idaho Falls, step-father, Robert Morton of Idaho Falls, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, October 24, 2022, at the Shelley Fire Station (585 West Fir Street). The family will meet with friends Sunday evening from 6:00 till 7:30 pm and Monday morning from 9:30 till 10:30 am at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak Street) in Shelley. Burial will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery.

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