Louis J. Barayasarra, 82, of Boise, died Friday, May 13, 2011 in a Caldwell nursing home. Lou was born on February 6, 1929 in Grand View, Idaho. Starting school speaking only Basque, he went on to graduate valedictorian from Grand View High School in 1947 with twelve years of straight As.

He attended Oklahoma City University and the University of Washington before obtaining a B.S. in mathematics from Seattle University one year and a B.A. also from Seattle University the next. He received a M. Ed. from the College of Idaho and a M.S. in mathematics from the University of Oregon.

After putting himself through college, Lou taught mathematics and/or science in Seattle, WA, Lake Tahoe, NV and Kuna and Payette, ID, before retiring as a math teacher from Capital High School in Boise.

Following the example of his parents, Nemesio and Victorina Barayasarra, who in the midst of poverty, gave to those in need; Lou was one of the most generous people around, often leaving nothing for himself.

He lived by his motto: "Always find something to do; you are not on this earth to do nothing". He earned the reputation as a perfectionist in everything from stacking hay in Grand View to teaching calculus.

Lou was preceded in death by his father, Nemesio in 1958; mother, Victorina in 1989; sisters Felipa Orbe in 201, Alva in 1934; and brother, Manuel in 1945.

Lou is survived by his niece, Victorina (Lou) Murgoitio, whom he loved and raised as a daughter; his grandnephews, Lukas of Boise, Jacob of Newark, DE and Mitchell of West Lafayette, IN, who thought of him as a grandfather. He is also survived by brothers, Jim (Jan) of Maryland, Frank (Eileen) of Nampa and Michael (Cathy) of Meridian; nephews, Michael of Nampa; Latif Schafik of Morocco, Eric of Rathdrum and Tom of Pinedale, WY; nieces include Christina of California, Lisa of New York, Mary of Pennsylvania and Julie and Jan of Meridian; and several grandnieces and grandnephews.

Viewing will be held on Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. followed by a Vigil service at 7:00 P.M. at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday at the Mountain View Cemetery, Mountain Home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Txoko Ona Basque Center in Homedale.

Service Information Visitation Thursday May 19, 2011 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel 415 12th Ave South Nampa, ID 83651 Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel 415 12th Ave South Nampa, ID 83651