Gene Yates, 64

After a long battle with cancer, Gene passed away in his home in Willow, Alaska, on July 21, 2024.

He was born Nov. 11, 1959, in Tacoma, Wash. In 1978 he graduated from Santa Rita High School in Tucson, Ariz. Shortly after graduation, he moved up to Sandpoint, Idaho.  

Gene worked in the North Idaho woods as a sawyer for several years. He then became a power lineman by day (and night) and enjoyed life as a fisherman, hunter and wicked cribbage player in his free time. Gene loved to pick, trade and thrift with the best of them. He was a tough negotiator when selling, but always loved to find a good deal. He enjoyed any excuse to get outside in the wilderness and greatly enjoyed the mountains and rivers of Idaho and Alaska. 

Gene is survived by his mother and father, Viola and Marvin Foust; three of his brothers, Lee Yates, Luke Foust and Matt Foust; his two daughters; Megan Feist (Luke Feist) and Mallory Yates (Jacob Compton); two granddaughters, Charlotte and Dylan Feist; and several nieces and nephews.  

Gene is preceded in death by his father, Jerry Yates, and brother Rex Yates. 

Please join friends and family for a potluck-style celebration of both Gene’s and Rex’s lives at 3 p.m. Aug. 4, 2024, at Viola and Marvin's cabin, 57 Usher Lane, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805.