Kyle Calvin Bates, 82

Kyle Calvin Bates, 82, of Post Falls passed away on April 24, 2007, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

A memorial service celebrating Kyle's life was held Monday, April 30,2007, at 11 a.m. at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., in Coeur d'Alene.

Kyle was born Feb. 22, 1925, to Rolly and Gladys (Palmer) Bates and grew up in the Caldwell, Idaho, area. He was the fourth of eight children.

He graduated in 1947 from the University of Idaho with a degree in forestry. Upon graduation, he went to work for the Bureau of Land Management in Coeur d'Alene. There he met and married Gladys Gilbertson on Dec. 26, 1949.

Shortly thereafter, he went to work for the Pack River Lumber Company, managing the farm ground around the former Northwest Timber Mill, which is now the site of the River Stone development on Northwest Boulevard.

In 1954, he moved his family to the company's Beaver lake Stock Ranch at Kelso Lake, north of Athol. There he managed as many as 11,000 acres of timber, farming and cattle operations.

In 1983, Kyle and Gladys moved to their current home in the Royal Highlands area of Post Falls. Throughout his life, Kyle was thoroughly involved in all of his three sons' activities, being a 4-H leader, PTA president at Southside Elementary School in Cocolalla and the Sandpoint Athletic Booster Club.

He was an avid outdoorsman and felt most at home in the woods, and continued to hunt, even last fall.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, his youngest son, Robert; and sister, Carleen.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gladys; son, Gary (and Patti) of Mt. Vernon, Wash., son Randy (and Susan) of Post Falls; four granddaughters, Natalie (and Jake) Stika of Payson, Utah, with great-grandchildren, Gracie Joe, Maggie Jane and Dylan Jake; MeLisa (and Matt) VanderVeen of Bellingham, Wash., with great-grandson, Caleb Elliott; Randy's daughter Miranda (and Ed) Main of Lewiston, Idaho, with great-granddaughter, Eli Raine, borne on the day of Kyle's passing; and Kelsi Bates of Spokane, Wash. Also surviving are his two brothers, Stanley and Frank; and sisters, LoRayne, Ceva, Yvonne and Ellie.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of North Idaho or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Please sign Kyle's guest registry online at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.

Due to a technical error, the obituary was unable to be run until today.