Virgil “Red” Stallsworth

It is with deep sorrow that the family of Virgil “Red” Stallsworth announces his passing at the age of 81 on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, of cardiac arrest.

Red was born Nov. 11, 1938, in Richmond, Texas, to Norma Louise and Otis Stallsworth. He was the oldest of two children. They moved to Idaho from Oklahoma in 1957.

Red served in the United States Navy and had two sons with his wife, Sherry Oakey.

Red was a career electrician. He worked for Bunker Hill Mine for 35 years and then traveled for construction jobs and worked building electrical systems for saw mills.

Red married Mary Lou Byington in December of 1972 and became a step-dad to her five children. Red and Mary had a daughter after their marriage. Together they raised their blended family of eight children in Moon Gulch in the Silver Valley.

Red was an accomplished wood crafter. He worked in his woodshop bringing life to his own designs of hope chests, tables, Adirondack chairs and custom cabinets. His wife Mary Lou assisted with the final finishings. He donated many of his handmade items to the Senior Christmas Party Fund and to his grandchildren’s schools to support the Senior Graduation Party fund.

Red loved the Idaho mountains where he cut firewood with his sons, grandsons and picked gallons of huckleberries. Red had a passion for fishing, especially Kokanee blue back salmon on Lake Coeur d’Alene. He treated his family to many days of trolling the lake and catching a lot of fish. His specialty was smoking fish which he gifted to his family and friends.

Red was a member of the Mountaineer Motorcycle Club where his sons and step-son raced dirt bikes. He also was a member of the Industrial Union and Saturday Night Bowling League.

Red was preceded in death by his parents Otis and Louise Stallsworth; his step-son Gary Byington and step-daughter Jody Hill.

Red is survived by his wife Mary Lou Stallsworth of Moon Gulch; sister Kay (Fred) Day of Pinehurst, Idaho; sons Robert (Linda) Stallsworth of Athol, Idaho, Donald (Tammy) Stallsworth of Smelterville, Idaho, daughter Tanya (Kevin) Karn; step-children Sherry Ransier of Rathdrum, Idaho, Cindy (Tobin) Faraca of Kingston, Idaho, Misty Byington of Smelterville; 24 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Red’s Life will be held at a later date.

You may share your memories of Red’s and sign his guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com

Shoshone Funeral Services and Crematory of Kellogg, Idaho, is entrusted with local arrangements.