We are sad to report that our treasured husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, Gene David Gibler, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024.
Gene was born in Grangeville on June 10, 1949. His parents were Ned F. Gibler and Geneva (Hamilton) Gibler, of Kooskia. He joined one older brother, Gary. A younger brother, Greg, would join the family later. He attended school in Kooskia, graduating from Clearwater Valley High School in 1967. As a young boy, his music aptitude was encouraged: he studied piano and tap dancing. With his brother Greg, he appeared on the live TV talent show “Starlit Stairway” in tap-dancing performances. As a youth he worked in his father’s grocery store.
He enrolled at the College of Idaho in Caldwell as a music major. He studied music and drama, graduating in 1971. After obtaining his education, he chose a career of driving trucks. He returned to Kooskia and worked for Simmons Sanitation of Kamiah for a time.
In 1973, he married Pamela Chalfant, of Boise. They first lived in Caldwell, and later moved to Lewiston. They had two sons, Eli and Gabriel. In Lewiston, Gene worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a contract driver, driving daily along the Clearwater River to deliver the mail to the post offices as far as Stites.
Gene and Pam divorced, and in May, 1984, Gene married Dorophine (Dorf) Braden, gaining two stepsons, Terry and Jeff. They lived in Lewiston for several years, but then Gene took a job with Huber Action Freight of Colfax, driving a freight delivery truck between Colfax and Lewiston. Some time after that they moved to Colfax.
After Gene retired, he and Dorf returned to Lewiston and settled into a quiet life with his two beloved dogs. Along with yardwork he now had time to do more woodworking projects. He made clocks, chests, tables, wine racks and many smaller items by request and as gifts. Our extended family very much appreciated that he was always ready to help with small repairs, house and yard projects, moving things, etc.
Too, he enjoyed language and words. He was an avid reader, a master of crossword puzzles and was always ready with puns and other wordplay.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Surviving him are his wife Dorophine; sons Eli (Deanna), Gabe, Terry and Jeff (Andrea); brothers Gary (Melanie) and Greg (Carol); and grandchildren Jon, Kayla, Gene Patrick, Ariana, Dylan and Dakota; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
There are many of us who will feel an empty space in our lives as we carry on without him. A private family service will be held at a later date.
