Cliff Agar, 78

Clifford William Agar, 78, of Coeur d’Alene, passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 14, 2012, at his home. Cliff was a longtime member of the Coeur d’Alene community. He was born in Coeur d’Alene on July 19, 1934, to William and Viola Agar.

Cliff attended the historic Roosevelt grade school and graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1952. Cliff worked for the United States Forest department for a short period before signing up for the voluntary draft for the United States Army in 1953. He completed his basic training in Fort Ord, Calif., and then was sent off to France and Germany as part of the Signal Corps of the U.S. Army. In 1955 he returned to the states and began his career as a Phone Man for Pacific Bell and later with General Telephone Electronics (GTE) where he had a successful career for 40 years. Cliff and his partner, Owen Randall, were urban legends in the phone business wiring most of the land lines in Coeur d’Alene.

Cliff enjoyed gardening, reading, fishing, and was also an amateur Brewmeister. Cliff was known for making the best dill pickles this side of the Mississippi. One of his biggest joys was listening to his grandson Sean tell him stories. It always brought a big smile to Cliff’s face.

Cliff belonged to many charitable organizations which included the Coeur d’Alene Eagles, the Masonic Lodge, the Shriners and the Elks. He was also a member of the North Idaho Museum.

Cliff was preceded in death by his loving wife, Kay of 40 years. He is survived by his son, Douglas Ray Agar of Coeur d’Alene; his daughter, Debra Kay Agar of Coeur d’Alene and his son-in-law, Steve Bowman of Coeur d’Alene; his sister, Lori Hanson of Spokane; and the love of his life, his grandson, Sean Douglas Agar.

A Life Celebration Gathering will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles Lodge, 209 E. Sherman Ave. Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of his final arrangements.

The family prefers memorial donations to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210. You may visit Cliff’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.