Obituary of Johnnie Dale Baines

Johnnie Dale Baines, 88, of Fruitland, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on September 23, 2023.

Johnnie was born in Harrison, Arkansas to John Garret Baines and Leta Geist Baines on December 22, 1934.  He moved with his family to Idaho in April of 1937 where they settled on a farm east of Fruitland.  Johnnie was a 1955 Fruitland graduate where he lettered all 4 years in football, basketball, and track.  After graduation, he enlisted in the army for 3 years and was trained as an airplane mechanic.

When he returned home, he joined his Uncle Jim falling timber in the logging woods.  In February of 1960, while attending Fruitland basketball games, he met his future wife, Judy Russell.  They were married on December 26, 1961.  They were blessed with two daughters, Tami and Trina.

When Tami started school, Johnnie decided it was time to find a new occupation.  He began driving a bulk milk truck in the local area.  When Swiss Village Cheese came to Nampa, Johnnie purchased his own truck and hauled the first load of milk into that new facility. As the business grew and more dairymen began selling to Swiss Village, Johnnie purchased 2 more bulk milk trucks.  He eventually incorporated with Elden Adams forming Service Transportation, Inc.  As the need grew, they added more trucks and hauled cheese, milk and other commodities to many out of state destinations.  Johnnie quit driving and did the mechanic work and upkeep of the trucks.  He sold his interest in the business and retired in December of 1996.

After he retired, always being one to gravitate towards work, he began servicing Campo and Poole trucks until he was 83 years old.  He also enjoyed driving truck for Henggeler Orchards during the apple harvest for several seasons.  Johnnie loved to stay busy, especially outside.  He always raised a big garden and shared his produce with family and friends.

Johnnie enjoyed snowmobiling and went on many day trips and also on several destination trips with other snowmobile enthusiasts.

He is survived by his wife Judy, Tami (Dean) DeCroo and their son Devin DeCroo, and Trina Baines and her fiancé Rick Nelson, and Trina’s sons Drew, Trent, and Jon Ingram, and his sister Mall Letha Summer.  He is predeceased by his parents John and Leta Baines, his brother and sister-in-law, Don and Konnie Baines and brother-in-law, Arvid Summer.

The family would like to thank the many members of the Heart and Home Hospice Staff for their excellent care and support through the many phases of his journey the past two years.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 11:00 am at Shaffer Jensen Memory Chapel with burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Shaffer Jensen Memory Chapel.  Condolences may be sent to the family at Shafferjensen.com.

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