Barry Nelson, 78

On Wednesday March 10, 2021, Barry Nelson, a loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 78.

Barry was born in 1942 in our nation's capital of Washington, D.C., and raised by his aunt and uncle, Rudolph and Mable Hilgren. Barry joined the Army, and afterward he proceeded to obtain a degree in physics from the University of Idaho. He spent some time in sales before finding his career at a sawmill in engineering from which he retired.

Barry met Sue and they were married from 1968-1982, They had four kids together. He later met and settled down with his current wife Genevieve in 1983 and they stayed together through his passing.

Barry was a jack-of-all-trades man that knew little bits of everything and loved sharing his knowledge with those around him. He very much enjoyed the outdoors and often went hunting on Tubbs Hill in Coeur d’Alene or Hoodoo Mountain. Growing up his family had a commercial greenhouse, and he fell in love with gardening which he carried through his life with his wife. You could always find a lush variety of plants surrounding their home inside and out, including his favorite flowers, Begonias. Barry was also an accomplished baker and winemaker. To those who knew him, his cookies were world class, and he shared them with everyone he knew. Additionally, he could fix anything and always offered to help with small repairs to his friends, family and neighbors.

Barry’s warm heart and nature radiated in the room wherever he went. He carried with him a great mind that always stayed calm and mellow, never losing his cool or patience, he is remembered as a kind and intelligent man who always started a conversation with a clever joke. He always loved discussing new discoveries in science and technology, and his son Vernon remembered his father helping him explain complex calculus over the phone when he was in college. Barry loved to see others smile as was his nature to help others and make them laugh. His wife Genevieve came to call him “Sills” for being so silly over the years, as was his nature. Barry was a member of the Knights of Columbus of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church parish.

Barry is survived by his wife, Genevieve; his four kids, Vernon, Kim, Maryanne, and Arlene; as well as his extended family by marriage.

The Rosary/Vigil service will be said at 5 p.m., Friday, April 30, 2021, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian burial will be conducted at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 1, 2021, in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Father Sleeva Raju officiating.

Family and friends are invited to sign Barry’s online guestbook at coffeltfuneral.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Coffelt Funeral Service.