Thara Call Waddoups (1882-1979)

From the Idaho Falls Post Register, November 4, 1949.

  Idaho fields a new interesting name in Thara Call Waddoups, who, during his long life rose to become a leading political figure in that state. First elected to the Idaho house of representatives in 1934, Waddoups served six terms in total and later was named to the state tax commission, serving until his retirement at age 85. Born in Bountiful, Utah on January 6, 1882, Thara Call Waddoups was the son of Thomas (1850-1934) and Cynthia (Call) Waddoups (1864-1946). Most often listed under the initials "T.C.", Waddoups was given the curious name Thara Call, with his middle name extending from his mother's maiden name.

  Waddoups's formative education was obtained in Utah, graduating from the Davis County high school. Around 1902 he made his first trip to Idaho, being employed as a construction worker on the Millner Dam in Twin Falls County. After an eleven-month residency there he returned to Utah to continue his schooling, and in 1904 graduated from the Latter Day Saint's Business College. In 1905 he resettled in Moore, Idaho, and in November 1906 married Josie M. King (1885-1960) in Salt Lake City. The couple's fifty-three-year marriage produced three children, Jimmie King (1907-1996), Ovy (1910-1987), and Mary (1918-2007).

  For the majority of his life Waddoups engaged in farming, and after locating in Moore developed "a 200 acre irrigated farm" in the vicinity of Lost River Valley. He expanded this farm a further 160 acres before selling it in 1916, whereafter he purchased a ranch in Antelope Valley. Through the 1920s and 30s, Waddoups built up a career as one of Butte County's leading public men. He was a founder of the first Rotary Club in the Lost River Valley and was a longstanding member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, being a high priest and high councilman. Additionally, Waddoups served twelve years on the Butte County school board and was vice-chairman of the Rural Electrification Association in the Lost River Valley in the 1940s. Waddoups was also heavily invested in the sheep ranching industry, and served on the Lost River Valley grazing district's advisory board for many years.

  In 1934 T.C. Waddoups made the jump into state politics, winning election to the Idaho House of Representatives that November. His first term (1935-37) saw him named to the committee on reclamation, and in November 1938 won a second term. Taking his seat in January 1939, he began a decade long tenure as Butte County's representative, and for five consecutive terms served as chairman of the committee on appropriations. He would also chair the committee on livestock in 1939-40, and during his second term held the additional post of chairman of the Butte County planning board. 

T.C. Waddoups as he appeared during his tax commission service.

     With his election to a fourth term in 1942, Waddoups was selected as assistant floor leader for the 1943-45 session, and chaired the House finance committee. This post saw both Waddoups and senate finance committee chair Kimber Call Barlow propose a "pay as you go" tax plan, which would enable Idaho taxpayers to pay their taxes on a "pay as you go" basis, "instead of the present system of paying a previous years taxes during the current year." For the 1947-49 term, Waddoups, as chair of the appropriations committee, tabled plans for an "emergency salary payment" to state teachers, noting:

"We have sacrificed an emergency salary payment to teachers in exchange for the long range educational program that will give them a fair wage next year."

  Waddoups's final house term concluded with the 1950 special session of the state legislature, and in March of that year was named by Governor Charles A. Robins to the state tax commission. He resigned from the legislature shortly thereafter to take his seat, and in 1953 was reappointed to the commission, this time for a full term of six years.

From the Twin Falls Times News, March 6, 1950.

  In March 1959 Waddoups was reappointed to another six year by Governor Robert Smylie, and during this period served as chairman of the Idaho State Advisory Board district, under the Bureau of Land Management. In April 1960 he suffered the death of his wife Josie, and did not remarry following her death. Reappointed to the tax commission for a fourth term in 1965, Waddoups retired in the fall of 1967 after  seventeen years of service. He continued to reside in Moore, Idaho after his retirement and celebrated his 90th birthday in 1972. Waddoups's final years were marred by ill health, and in 1979 was hospitalized at the Lost River Hospital in Arco. He died in that facility on June 15, 1979, aged 97. He was survived by all of his children and was interred alongside his wife Josie at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Arco.