Gene Wilson, 58

Gene Wilson, 58, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Steve Nickodemus officiating.

Gene was born on Dec. 3, 1951, in Hollister, Calif., to Norman and Barbara Wilson.  Gene has been completely blind since age three, and he grew up and attended schools in San Jose and Gilroy, Calif. He went on to earn a double major in Spanish and music from Chico State University.

Gene started and operated, for 23 years, the Arizona Lookout Store, a gift and souvenir store over looking the Hover Dam.

He married Kimberly Neu on Sept. 21, 2002, in Bull River, Mont., and the couple made their home in Hender-son, Nev. They later moved to North Idaho and settled in Sandpoint, where Gene operated a woodworking business hand crafting furniture, children’s toys, and other wood products.

Gene is a member of Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. He has a black belt in judo, enjoyed wood working, and loved his dog “Bear,” guide dog “Bebe,” and rescued thoroughbred horse “Fresco.”

He is survived at home by his wife, Kim, and son, Dakota. He is also survived by a daughter, Theresa (Jason) Van De Mark, and granddaughter, Serenity, of Hazleton, Pa.; his mother, Barbara MacCarty of Carson City, Nev.; aunt and foster mom, Ollie Mae Bernard of Porterville, Calif.; four brothers, Ray and Bruce Wilson, Kevin Padillo, and David MacCarty; two sisters, Candice Edwards and Susie Bargman; his in-laws, Larry and Colleen Neu, Cherise Neu (Eron Singleton), and Chris (Kate) Neu, all of Sandpoint; his grandparents, Sam Wormington, and Gerry and Joe Venishnick; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Laura Wilson; father, Norman B. Wilson; and niece, Amber Wilson.

Memorial donations may be made to Bonner Community Hospice, PO Box 1448, Sandpoint, ID 83864; or Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc., PO Box 3950, San Rafael, CA 94912-3950.  Please visit Gene’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.