Wallace Lightfoot Obituary

Wallace Douglas Lightfoot
November 18, 1934 - April 21, 2025
In some cultures people politely report a person's passing by stating that their library has burned down. On a Monday evening, April 21, 2025, in the home where he lived with his wife, Carol, for 55 years, Wallace Douglas "Doug" Lightfoot's 90 year old library was consumed and is no more, although our memories of him and his legacy remain. Doug was born in Lower Stanley, Idaho on November 18, 1934 and spent his early childhood in the Sawtooth Mountain range. His family moved to Ketchum, Idaho in 1936 where he graduated from Hailey High School, and entered the U.S. Army in 1954. Upon completion of his service, Doug returned to Ketchum in 1956 where he met and courted Carol Prucha (who was working as a nurse at the Sun Valley Lodge Hospital), eventually marrying in 1958. Doug often told his bride that he was so happy that they ended up together, and that he loved her "more than tunkantel!"
After their daughter Mary was born, they moved to Pocatello where their son John joined the family and Doug completed the pharmacy program at Idaho State. In 1963 Doug drove his family in a VW bug to a new life in Guerneville, California, where he worked at Lark's Rexall Drug store as a registered pharmacist. Life on the Russian River in the 1960's was full of fun and interesting times, and it was where Doug learned to dive for abalone and fish for steelhead.
Doug was an avid outdoorsman over the course of his life, and he had a passion for collecting all things related to western history and hunting/fishing. He and John had successful pheasant hunts, fly fishing trips, and shared other outdoor adventures over the years. Doug developed an expansive volume of knowledge about his family's Idaho history, and was the man to call if anyone needed to know the details.
After moving to Santa Rosa in 1970, Doug worked as a pharmacist over the years at Long Drugs (Mendocino), St. Francis Pharmacy, and Kaiser (Santa Rosa, for over 20 years). In retirement, Doug and Carol returned to Idaho to spend time on the Wood River in a cozy cabin he had built with his father. During summer visits, Doug taught his granddaughters how to catch and clean fish at Penny Lake, after dutifully setting up and detangling countless fishing poles for them. In addition to living high on the wild, Doug was an accomplished gardener, wonderful cook, and friend to all. He was especially proud of his wonderful carrot cakes that he made for many special occasions. He was a loyal member of the Ketchum American Legion Post 115.
His passing was preceded by those of his parents, Wallace and Laura (Sullivan), his older brother Philip, and countless beloved dogs, including Pepper, Peaches, Panda, Phoenix, and Piper. Doug is survived by his wife of 66 years, Carol, and his children, Mary (Strohe LaCroix) and John (Rafael Jimenez), and granddaughters, Nevada LaCroix and Harper LaCroix.
According to his wishes, his ashes will be placed at the Ketchum Cemetery in Idaho. Details for his Funeral Mass will follow in a subsequent published funeral notice and on Facebook. Doug was a kind and considerate man who believed it was essential to reach out and call someone to say hello. In lieu of a memorial donation, take time to call your friends and family to say hello and tell them you love them!
Our family sends heartfelt gratitude to all who helped support and care for Doug, especially his wonderful and patient caregivers who enabled him to stay at home, supportive and caring neighbors who were always there in times of need, and Providence Hospice/Sonoma County who assisted with his peaceful transition.