Nathan "Nate" NARRANCE

Nathan "Nate" Narrance was born to Oscar and Kay Narrance on October 18, 1937, in Spokane, Washington. He grew up in Airway Heights, attending the old Sunset two-room schoolhouse, then Browne Elementary, and graduating from North Central High School in 1955. From an early age, Nate developed a strong work ethic - delivering the Old Chronicle and Spokesman-Review, working in a meat market, picking berries, baling hay, and even chasing wildfires in the summer. He loved sports, especially baseball, and carried that passion for athletics throughout his life.

Following high school, Nate proudly served in the United States Air Force as a meteorologist for four years. After his service, he attended Whitworth University and Eastern Washington University, graduating in 1963 with a degree in Economics and minors in Psychology, Business, and History.

Nate's career was varied and dynamic. He worked at a small loan company, served as a juvenile counselor in Colville, and held positions with Sears Catalogue and the Spokane Sears store. He later pursued entrepreneurial ventures, opening Town & Country Conoco, Downtown General Tire (which became 5-Mile Enco Service Station), and purchasing the Ring Inn Tavern on Broadway. Eventually, he established Narrance Realtors, serving as broker, owner, and developer in the Mead and Colbert areas.

An angel investor in Spokane, Nate supported numerous businesses including Foto Factory, Inland Medical & Rehab, Discount Mini Storage, Timber Terra Investments, and Devinco, a land contract business. His business success allowed him to retire at the age of 52. Even in retirement, he remained deeply engaged in his community - serving as president of both the East Spokane and Aurora Rotary Clubs and sitting on the board of the Homebuilder's Association. Later, he won a seat on the board of Inland Power & Light, where he served for 15 years and worked tirelessly to protect consumers from unnecessary regulation.

Nate believed deeply in giving back, particularly to young people who were determined to better themselves. He established several scholarships at Eastern Washington University, was a founding member of the North Central High School Educational Scholarship Foundation and supported many other foundations.

Beyond his professional and civic life, Nate was devoted to his family and to adventure. He and his beloved wife, Bonnie, shared a love of travel, often taking their RV across the country. Together with their granddaughter and friends, they visited Civil War battlefields, admired the fall colors of New England, explored Amish country, enjoyed Branson, Missouri, and countless other destinations. Nate also loved fishing - whether fly fishing on local rivers or casting a line in Alaska and Mexico.

Nate was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie (Funk) Narrance; and two sons, Kenneth and Steve Narrance. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom he was immensely proud. He hoped for each of them a life filled with education, honesty, integrity, hard work, and forward thinking.

Nate was blessed with many dear friends and business partners, with relationships that lasted decades. His life was marked by dedication, generosity, and an unwavering belief in doing what was right.

A memorial service for Nate will be held at 11:00am, on Thursday, October 16th, at Fairmount Memorial Park (5200 W. Wellesley, Spokane, WA). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to Kids Camp Union Gospel Mission.

In his honor and spirit - God Bless America.