Gene Avery

Gene Arthur Avery
1936 ~ 2015
Gene Arthur Avery, 78, peacefully passed away at home in Nampa, Idaho on April 14, 2015. Gene was comforted by his wife Lois and his eldest son Mark during a brief battle with Cancer.
Gene was born in Donnelly, Idaho in 1936 and he was raised in Council, Idaho. Gene attended school in Council where he played basketball and football in High School. After graduation Gene proudly served in the U.S. Army. His duty station was in Europe. Gene always joked that he went over and won the war.
Upon return to the states Gene married Helen Champion and they had four children, Kristen (Avery) Fuller, Mark Avery, Robin (Avery) Murphy and Chad Avery (and his wife Janet). Gene and Helen would later divorce.
In 1971, Gene and his family moved to Alaska where Gene would eventually work for the Public Health Service which took him to many remote locations in Alaska and he experienced many new adventures.
It was in Anchorage, Alaska that Gene met, as he would always say "the love of his life" Lois. They were married December 16, 1982. With that marriage was an addition to the family of Becky (Richardson) Starry and her husband Jack.
Gene and Lois enjoyed many great times in Alaska and eventually settled in Nampa, Idaho for retirement.
Gene loved many things in life, family first and foremost; he was an avid pilot that flew to many remote Alaskan locations. He enjoyed driving semi-tractors and trailers and spent many years behind the wheel. Gardening was another of his favorites and he especially enjoyed eating the fresh vegetables.
Gene will be held tightly in our hearts and thoughts. He will be dearly missed. In this time of sadness we know how very fortunate we are to have known him and the pleasure to experience all that he had to share.
Gene is survived by his wife Lois, his brother William (Bill) Avery, and Gene's children, Kristin, Mark, Robin, Chad, Becky and their spouses, 12 Grandchildren, 13 Great-Grandchildren, and various other family members.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Warren and Dorothy (Downend) Avery, his younger brother James (Jim) Avery and his nephew Jeffrey (Jeff) Avery.
A memorial service will be held Friday, April 17, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at the Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel.