David Gilles Sr.

1959 - 2025

David Anthony Gilles, 66, passed away Saturday, November 2, 2025, in Sandpoint, Idaho surrounded by his wife and children.

He was born April 27, 1959 to William and Carol Gilles in Glendale, CA. He graduated from Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, CA in 1977 and attended community colleges in Torrance, CA and Pasco, WA. He married Nancy Erd on May 24, 1980 in Gardena, CA, and they moved to Richland, WA to begin their life together.

Dave and Nancy raised four children: Darlene, Wendy, David, Jr., and Heather. Dave spent his career working at the Hanford Nuclear Site; first as a bus driver, working his way up through various levels of management until retiring as a Manager of Retrieval Operations at the Tank Farms. In 2023, after several years of traveling in their RV, Dave and Nancy moved to Sandpoint to enjoy their retirement in the home they built together.

As a young man, Dave loved four-wheeling, motorcycles, and bow hunting. As their children grew, he embraced Nancy's love of sailing and it became a family pastime. He learned how to brew beer with his son, and developed an appreciation for wine on a memorable trip through the Napa Valley with Nancy and friends from the Columbia Basin Sailing Club.

Dave was a tireless provider and caregiver for his loved ones, a quiet, comforting presence, and a strong hand to hold when you were in pain. Endlessly capable, a patient teacher, and the hardest worker, Dave was the kind of man you felt safe with, and trusted in any situation. His reserved presence belied a quick wit, a clever and constant sense of humor, and if he was busting your chops, chances where he liked you. He expressed affection with hugs that spoke more words than he preferred to, and in the unfaltering, myriad ways he showed up every day, for everyone he loved.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, of Sandpoint, ID; four children: Darlene (Jose) Bejar of Riverside, CA; Wendy Gilles of New York, NY; David (Juliana) Gilles of Tri Cities, WA; and Heather Gilles of Ithaca, NY; eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and his elder brother, William (Roni) of Apache Junction, AZ.

There will be no service. Donations in Dave's memory can be made to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation. Please visit Dave's online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com.