Delmar V. Miley, 85, of Idaho Falls, peacefully passed away in the early morning hours on Tuesday, October 4, 2022. He lived up to his word, only leaving his and Donna's new home to move to the funeral home.

Del was born on November 18, 1936, in Winslow, Arizona to Victor and Imogene Miley. His childhood was spent in New Mexico, Colorado, and Hawaii. He graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with bachelor's and master's degrees in Metallurgical Engineering. Whenever asked what a metallurgist really was, Del always answered that he was "the person that can tell you the difference between a virgin metal and a common ore."

He met Donna Phillips in 1958 in Golden, Colorado on a blind date – a Toga Party at his fraternity house, Sigma Nu. They married in 1959 and had three children, Debbie, Denise, and Don. Throughout the years, there was always a "damn dog" to round out the family of "D's."

Del served in the United States Army as a lieutenant, with six months of active duty and six years in the reserves.

Del's career took him down a few paths, including uranium mines, the Rocky Flats Weapons Plant in Colorado, and Idaho National Laboratory. He retired from INL in 1995; he had a three-page list of chores that he wanted to get done when he retired, and as of October 4, the list has not been touched.

Throughout his life, Del had multiple interests. From rock and crystal hunting and collecting, hiking, camping, and backpacking with his family, fishing, and fly-fishing, and finally to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and golf, he was always busy and ready to share his knowledge and get others involved. He and Donna were avid travelers, including many trips south of the border, the Caribbean, and a tour of Turkey and Greece.

Del was deeply involved in the Elks, serving in many capacities throughout his life. He joined the Elks in 1974 and has served the Idaho Falls Lodge in every capacity, serving in every officer role for the Lodge and then coaching and helping the officers that came after him. He earned the nickname "Magic" for coaching teams in Elks Ritual Competitions to state championships and competing at Elks National Conventions, including some individual national champions. He served as the Idaho Falls Lodge Secretary, Idaho Elks President, on the Board of Directors for the Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital, Elks National Ritual Committee for Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Alaska, and Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for Idaho.

Del's life was always full of friends and family. There was never a dull moment, whether it was at holidays, full-blown family meals, Elks conventions or at the golf course. You could always count on an offer of a cocktail, a new recipe and a joke.

Del is survived by his wife, Donna of Idaho Falls; daughter, Debbie (Rex) Astle of Idaho Falls; daughter, Denise (John) Olson of Idaho Falls; son, Don (Xan) Miley of Blackfoot; granddaughter, Crystal (Ryan) P'Pool; great-granddaughters: Sage and Nila of Idaho Falls; grandson, Chris (Mandi) Olson of Richland, Washington; grandson, Nick (Kara) Olson; great-granddaughter, Skylar of Idaho Falls; granddaughter, Quin Miley (Ryan) of Pocatello; and granddaughter, Regan (Kai) Desmet of Victor, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Del's name to the Idaho Elks Rehab Project at idahoelks.org/state-major-project.

Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 10, 2022, at the Elks Lodge at 640 E. Elva, Idaho Falls. Inurnment will be in Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery. Cremation is under the care of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. Condolences may be sent online at www.coltrinmortuary.com .