Gregory Wainwright (Wain) Geaudreau Jr.

Gregory Wainwright (Wain) Geaudreau Jr. passed away peacefully at his home on Dec. 21, 2018.

He was born on August 23, 1929, to Greg and Juliet Geaudreau of Blanchard. He lived his entire life in the area, and survived being electrocuted at age 12, while living in Spirit Lake, Idaho. He attended Newport High School (class of 1947).

He briefly attended Washington State University, where he met Anne Sprague, whom he married in 1952. They built a ranch on Hoodoo Loop Road, where they raised Hereford cattle and grew alfalfa for hay. Wain was very proud of his cattle and insisted on continuing the ranch even after he was unable to do any of the labor himself. He and his two brothers also operated the family sawmill, Geaudreau Lumber Company, on Highway 41, for several decades, until going out of business in 1995.

Wain lived life on his own terms, spending his time how he wanted. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and for many years he was in a bowling league with his brothers, with their mother, Juliet, keeping score.

Wain was very involved in the Newport slow pitch league in his mid-life years, volunteering his time and lumber to build the baseball field that bears his name, Wain Fields. Wain was a member of the Spirit Lake Masonic Lodge, and belonged to the Blanchard Grange, both for over 50 years. He was a fixture at the State Line Tavern in Oldtown his entire adult life.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Anne Geaudreau, his brothers, Alfred (Bud) Geaudreau and Richard (Dick) Geaudreau; and his son, William (Bill) Geaudreau. He is survived by two daughters, Gail Geaudreau of Spokane and Michelle Iaci of Round Rock, Texas; plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Private burial will be in the Geaudreau family plot in the Newport Cemetery.

A celebration of life will be held on Jan. 12, 2019, starting at 1 p.m. at the Blanchard Grange, 36 Mason Ave., Blanchard.

Remembrances may be made in his name to the Blanchard Grange (P.O. Box 132, Blanchard, ID 83804) or the Pend Oreille County Historical Society (P.O. Box 1409, Newport, WA 99156).

Sherman-Campbell Funeral and Cremation Services in Priest River is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at shermancampbell.com.