Otis "Tinker" Disbennett, Jr., 84, passed away Monday morning, Aug. 6, 2012, at his home.
He was born April 13, 1928, in Bellevue, Idaho, where he lived his entire life. After graduating from Bellevue High School he married his high school sweetheart, Ora Lee Myers, on Oct. 28, 1949.
In 1952 Tinker joined the Army where he was stationed in France as a corporal with the Engineer Light Equipment Co.
Tinker returned home in 1954 and worked for the Triumph mine as a tractor operator.
In 1956 they built a home south of Bellevue, where Ora Lee still lives. In 1958 they purchased Sims Chevron in Bellevue, and renamed it "Tinkers."
Together they ran the Tinkers Full Service gas station and grocery store for 12 years. After selling the gas station they changed locations and ran "Tinkers Grocery" until 1979.
After selling the store, Tinker became district deputy water master for the Big Wood River. The water master job was a dream come true for Tinker, allowing him to enjoy the Wood River Valley that he loved for 27 years until he retired in 2007.
Tinker was active in community affairs, president of the Wood River Chamber of Commerce, long-time chairman of the Bellevue Labor Day Parade and a member of the American Legion Post.
Tinker is survived by his wife, Ora Lee, and three children, son Otis Mark Disbennett of Boise, Idaho, daughters Carma Ellis of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and April Jacobs of Boise, Idaho, six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and a sister, Donna Smith of Arco, Idaho.
The service was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012, at the Bellevue Cemetery.
Friends may light a candle, share stories, photos and condolences at HYPERLINK "http://www.woodriverchapel.com" www.woodriverchapel.com.
