Terry Joe Dial

Terry Joe Dial was born on November 15, 1937, in Shelley, Idaho, to Joe and Esther Dial. He passed away on June 8, 2026, at the age of 88.

He was the oldest child and, throughout the years, was blessed with 11 younger siblings—two brothers and nine sisters.

Dad grew up in the Shelley area, where he helped his father both in the family-owned grocery store and on the family farm. He attended Shelley High School, where he participated in the boxing program and played football. He graduated from Shelley High School and immediately married his high school sweetheart, Connie Christensen, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on August 22, 1956.

Together, they raised four children: Jay (Julia) of Burley, Idaho; Janet (Bruce Fenton) of Cody, Wyoming; Steve (Pauline) of Boise, Idaho; and Brent (Shereen) of Shelley, Idaho.

Dad spent many years doing what he loved most—farming. He was a hard worker and passed that trait on to his children, who worked alongside him as soon as they could reach the clutch pedal on a tractor or were big enough to move pipe. Dad loved farming and was very skilled at it. He enjoyed working on the Cook Farm and Stewart Farm in Goshen, the Driscoll Farm in Pingree, and with his Dad and brother Earl on the Dial Farm in Shelley. He could be seen driving a tractor during harvest time well into his seventies.

Dad and his brothers, Earl and Dave, started a trucking business called TED Trucking (Terry, Earl, Dave), where they hauled wheat and potatoes throughout southern Idaho. Even when age kept him off the tractor, he continued to cultivate and grow a large garden in his backyard, offering an abundance of pumpkins and corn to anyone who would come and pick them.

Dad also drove a bus for the INL and made many friends among both passengers and fellow drivers. He retired after driving for 17 years.

Dad and Mom loved spending their winters in Yuma, Arizona, where they made new, lifelong friends from all over the country. One of Dad’s greatest disappointments was when his health no longer allowed him to go to Yuma this past winter.

Dad was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He held many callings, including serving in several bishoprics and coaching his boys on the youth softball team.

Dad was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Esther Dial; his wife, Connie; three sisters, Gloria Cunningham, Derena Ricks, and Joyce Driscoll; and one brother, Earl Dial.

He is survived by six sisters: Dixie Stewart, Mary Polson, Jane Cottrell, Jolene Smallwood, Lois Fletcher, and Inis Landon; and one brother, Dave Dial.

He is also survived by his four children, Jay, Janet, Steve, Brent, and their spouses, as well as 20 grandchildren and 61 great-grandchildren.

The family would like thank Edan Home Health & Hospice and Lincoln Court Retirement Center for the loving care they gave to Dad.

Memorial Services will be held 1:00 P.M. Friday June 12, 2026 at the Goshen Ward Chapel (792 North 1090 East) The family will receive friends Friday from 12:00 till 12:45 P.M. at the church. Inurnment will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery. Funeral Arrangements are under the Direction of Nalder Funeral Home in Shelley.

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