David Michael (Mike) Gossett

Mike Gossett was born in 1943 to Charles and Muriel Gossett in Leavenworth, Kan., and raised in the Midwest.

His education included a bachelor’s degree from Missouri School of Mines and a master’s from Long Beach State in electrical engineering. After school, Mike worked for Hughes Aircraft Electro-Dynamics division and simultaneously owned and operated Rolling Hills Avionics in Torrance, Calif.

Mike moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1978 with his wife and young family to start Coeur d’Alene Avionics, which he operated for more than 20 years. An accomplished pilot, he had a lifelong love for flying and applied his considerable skills to rebuilding several small aircraft. A radio ham, his call sign was N7GPM.

After selling his business at the airport, he followed his dream to build a softball park. Once completed, the park hosted softball leagues and tournaments for several seasons. The city of Hayden bought the field and renamed it “Croffet Park.” In the process of creating the ball field, Mike obtained his commercial drivers license and drove dump trucks commercially before retiring.

Mike was always an active member of the community: volunteer starter for state high school track and cross country meets (for more than two decades), one of the founding officers of the Coeur d’Alene Airport Association, first to bowl a perfect 300 game at Sunset Bowl, and even ran for mayor in 1989. He enjoyed all that North Idaho has to offer — camping, hiking, fishing, snowmobiling, golfing and was a skilled hunter.

Mike died Jan. 30, 2016, after a yearlong battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Janet; sister Maclyn Clemons; brother Charles Gossett; daughter Kerri (Gossett) Ohse; son Christopher Gossett and grandchildren Kyle Milholland, Tory Ohse, Kayla Ohse and Elliana (Ellie) Gossett.

A memorial gathering will be held from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, at the Kroc Center in Coeur d’Alene.