Alan Emmett Sullivan

Alan Emmett Sullivan, known to most as “Al” or “Pop” passed away in his home in Payette, Idaho on May 7, 2025.

Al was born on August 29, 1944, in Challis, Idaho to Cornelius “Corney” Dellen Sullivan and Josie L. Kellom Sullivan. Al spent his early years on the family’s Challis Creek Ranch before moving to Squaw Creek above Clayton, Idaho. The family lived in various mining camps before settling at the Red Bird Mine. It was in this rugged mountain environment that Al developed a lifelong love of the outdoors—fishing, trapping, hunting, tending the garden, caring for chickens, and milking the family cow. After chores, he and his 4 siblings often swam in the nearby Sullivan Hot Springs. Al and his brothers slept in a one-room cabin, while his sisters and parents stayed in the main house.

A true outdoorsman from a young age, Al shot his first bear at age five and his first deer at twelve. His childhood was filled with adventures, including sledding down the mine hill, fishing in the creek, chasing ducks across Red Bird Lake, and exploring the mountains with his brothers and sisters.

Al attended Clayton Elementary and graduated from Challis High School in 1963. In the years following, he worked various jobs across the country, always returning to the Salmon River country he loved. His many occupations included trail work, logging, and roadwork for the Idaho State Highway Department. Al also worked in Missouri in a fiberglass plant and at Hallmark, before moving to Alaska to work as an outfitter. While Al worked in a variety of fields, mining was his true passion. Al worked in several mines stretching from Grants, New Mexico and back to Idaho. Al worked with his brother at Lucky Friday Mine and later moved to the Clayton Silver Mine and Thompson Creek (Cyprus) Mine in Idaho.

However, Al was always an artist at heart. Al began making knives from any steel he could find. Over the years, his handcrafted knives became cherished possessions for many who were lucky enough to receive or purchase one. He continued making knives up to the day before his passing.

In 1972, Al met the love of his life, Tarise "Teri" Farley Schaefer, and they were married on July, 27, 1975. With their union came four rambunctious young children—Eric, Brenda, Jeff, and Dawn—all whom Al lovingly raised as his own. The family lived in Stanley, Idaho, where they embraced the mountain lifestyle: trapping, hunting, fishing, searching for mushrooms, and sledding through deep winters.

In 1999, Al and Teri moved to Payette, Idaho, where he continued to enjoy hunting, fishing, and crafting knives.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Brenda Matranga, 3 grandsons Jerald Schaefer, Tate Schaefer, and Kurtis Haren, and brother-in-law Shawn Gould.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 49 years, Teri. Sons Eric (Shellie) Schaefer of Burley, Idaho and Jeff (Jarrie) Schaefer of Mackay, Idaho. Daughter Dawn Haren of Payette, Idaho. Brothers Joe (Toni) Sullivan of Challis, Idaho and Bill (Joyce) Sullivan of Pleasant Unity, Pennsylvania. Sisters Faye (Jerry) Knox of Challis, Idaho and Ruth Gould of Buhl, Idaho. 16 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were under the direction of Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel in Payette, Idaho.