Gerald 'Gary' L. Yarger, 61

Gerald "Gary" L. Yarger (61) died peacefully from complications due to pancreatic cancer Feb. 2, 2008, at his Trestle Creek home near Hope, Idaho.

At Gary's request there will be no services. A memorial will be held at a later date.

Gary was born Jan. 11, 1947, in Sapulpa, Okla., to Theo and Ed Yarger of Kiefer, and grew up in the green hills of eastern Oklahoma. He graduated from Owasso High School in 1964 and Oklahoma State University in 1968 with a degree in economics. Gary attended graduate school at Purdue University with plans of becoming a college professor, but a draft notice led him into the U.S. Air Force in March of 1969.

Gary was sent to officer's training and flight school, and spent most of his Air Force career as a pilot of an A-10 Thunder-bolt aircraft.

During his career he was stationed at Laredo, San Antonio, Myrtle Beach, Enid, Okla., Dayton, Ohio, Fairbanks, Anchorage, Thailand, and the Azores. During the Vietnam War, Gary served as a forward air controller and flew 198 combat missions in his OV-10 Bronco aircraft. He also served two years as a squadron commander.

While in the Air Force, Gary obtained his master's degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Gary retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel in 1989.

After retirement, Gary fell in love with the Lake Pend Oreille area of North Idaho. He said, "I have a beautiful lake out the front door and a ski mountain out the back door." After his military career, Gary worked as a substitute teacher in the Lake Pend Oreille School District from 1989-1992, and then as the purchasing agent/bookkeeper at the Pend Oreille Veterinary Service until December 2007.

Gary loved the outdoors and spent most of his time riding his mule, Dixie, on the mountain trails of Idaho. He also enjoyed hiking, gardening, and berry picking. He was active refereeing high school and junior high football and basketball games.

Gary is survived by his wife, Teri; a daughter, Morgan (who attends the College of Idaho); a daughter, Amy Yarger-Weatherford (Matt); and grandson Alex of Arvada, Colo., his sister, Donna Ausmus of Muskogee, Okla.; and his brother, Keith Yarger of Broken Arrow, Okla. Also surviving are father and mothers-in-law, Barney and Lois Blasko of Samuels and Kay McGhee of Sun City, Ariz.

Gary was a very caring man, and a wonderful husband, father, brother and friend. He always had a great smile, put others before himself, and loved the United States. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements.

Please visit Gary's memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his online guest book.