Gerald C. "Pete" Steele

1942 - 2021

Emmett - Gerald C. (Pete) Steele 79, Emmett, passed away July 27, 2021. He was born March 6, 1942 to Alfred and Hazel Steele, in Klamath Falls, OR.

Pete's family moved to Star, Idaho when he was very young, and he attended elementary school in Star and Meridian. He graduated from Weiser High School in 1960. He served in the U.S. Army in 1961 to 1964 and was stationed at various bases stateside and in Korea. In 1965, he enlisted in the Idaho National Guard where he served full-time, retiring in 1997 at the rank of command sergeant major. He was awarded the Idaho Cross in 1996 by Gov. Phil Batt for exceptional actions saving the life of a senior Army officer from drowning in the Salmon River.

In 1964, he married Linda Raymond and they settled in Emmett where they raised their daughters, Rachel and Sara. Pete loved hunting and fishing and spent many happy hours with his brother, nephews and grandsons in the Idaho mountains. He was a great storyteller and would strike up conversations everywhere he went. He was a 52-year member of the Masonic Lodge in Emmett.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents, brother (Larry Steele), and sisters (Patsy Steele and Carmen Stewart). He is survived by his wife, Linda; his daughters, Rachel O'Sullivan (Bob) of Oceanside, Ca., Sara Gerard (Guy) of Emmett; grandsons, Mark McLinn (Sandy, Ore.), Adam (Homer, Alaska), Danny O'Sullivan (Oceanside, Ca.) and Sean O'Sullivan (LaPlata, Md.), and six great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 PM on Aug. 28, 2021 at the Emmett American Legion Hall (120 N. Hayes). Charitable donations can be offered in Pete's name to the Emmett Public Library or Pet Adoption League (PAL).

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the emergency room staff at Valor Health and the caregivers and staff at River's Edge Rehab Center in Emmett, the ambulance team and St. Luke's ICU doctors and nurses who cared for Pete and our family with great professionalism and compassion.