Wayne L. Crook, 81

Wayne L. Crook, 81, resident of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away Dec. 26, 2014, at Kootenai Health in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Wayne was born Sept. 28, 1933, to Harold and Laura (Short) Crook in Salem, Neb., in the same house that his father and grandfather were born. He graduated from Inglewood (California) High School in 1951.

Being only 17 years old when he graduated, Wayne was unable to find work so with his parent's permission he joined the U.S. Navy. His main task in the Navy was breaking down coded headings and messages into plain language. Wayne was discharged from the Navy in July 1954. After that, he visited relatives in Coeur d'Alene and decided to stay for a while. He worked for General Telephone in Coeur d'Alene and helped his uncle at the "Flying A" service station near I-90 and Fourth Street in Coeur d'Alene.

Around 1956, Wayne returned to California and started work at McCulloch Motors as a machinist. Then he worked for Rantec Corp. in Calabasas, Calif., for seven years as a production machinist and Q. A. inspector.

In 1991 Wayne returned to Coeur d'Alene, and in 1992 was hired by Boeing in Spokane due to his manufacturing engineering experience. Later on, he went to work for Lowe's Hardware as a stock clerk and receiving hand. He then worked at Coeur d'Alene Honda as a shuttle driver and lot attendant, and later worked at Buck Knives. He was working part time as a shuttle driver for Robideaux Motors when he passed.

Wayne loved his Post Falls town. He was active both in body and mind, building his deck, patio cover and storage sheds, building model cars, having Frappe's with his foursome buddies - and he adored his Yorkies. He loved joking with the family that he was spending their inheritance by buying them breakfast. He had a sweet genuine smile even during hard times, and was always very eager to lend a hand.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Betty; son Dean Crook; daughter and son-in-law Shona and Bill Rogers, all of Post Falls; three grandchildren: Marissa, Dyab and Devin; three nieces and one cousin.

The memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, at Lake City Community Church, 6000 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d'Alene.

English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d'Alene, is entrusted with his arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Kootenai Humane Society, 11650 N. Ramsey Road, Hayden, ID 83835.