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Gary Innes Amendola, 67

Gary Amendola passed away Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, in Coeur d’Alene, after a valiant battle with cancer. He was 67 years old. Gary was born on Long Island, N.Y., and raised in the small village of Deposit in Upstate New York. He was the second born of five sons to Frank and Audrey Amendola.

Gary was a renaissance man — a varsity letterman in football, wrestling, and track; an honor roll student; active in chorus and drama; a student council president an and Eagle scout. He started a teen center with best friend, Terry. The center was dedicated to his brother, Willet (Ran), who was killed in Vietnam in 1967. With that resume he attended the Air Force Academy, graduated from the University of Colorado and studied abroad for his last semester in Siena, Italy.

Post undergraduate work found him in Park City, Utah, where he was a skier, carpenter and member of the infamous Mucker Rugby Team. Two years of that lifestyle convinced him to find gainful employment, which led him to Gonzaga Law School. Rugby was part of that curriculum as well. Upon graduation, and still full of wanderlust and adventure, Gary and classmate Ron drove to Alaska. They worked in fisheries while studying for the bar. Probably at the bar. Gary’s first job as an attorney was at Babcock and Amendola in Sitka, Alaska. He excelled in his profession from the start. On a visit to Sitka in 2014, a merchant recognized his name and exclaimed how much he had helped them more than 30 years ago.

In 1982, Gary moved to Juneau to become Assistant Attorney General for the State of Alaska. One case took him all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., (they won.) In 1984, Gary seized the opportunity to spend a year studying international law at the Australian National University in Canberra. Once again he balanced his studies with rugby, golf and travel. Gary returned to his previous post at the Alaskan Attorney General’s Office, married and became a devoted father to children Joshua and Jessica.

In 1995, Gary was hired, fired and rehired as a Kootenai County Public Defender by John Adams, who would become his best friend until their last days together at the Schneidmiller Hospice House. In 2001, Gary joined Walker Rines and Amendola, where he rose to managing partner of Amendola Doty and Brumley. Gary was past president of the Idaho Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and one of the few Certified Trial Specialists in the State of Idaho. Gary was a member of the Eagles, VFW and was on the Board at Avondale Golf Course.

From his outstanding professional record and recognition from colleagues, he was chosen as a member of Super Lawyers. Even more important are the countless testimonials from friends and clients benefitting from his “larger-than-life” heart and generosity from tireless pro bono work. Gary will be greatly missed by his family, friends and legal colleagues who had the pleasure of his acquaintance in the courtroom, the golf course and his home. Truly he was a man of character and substance.

Gary is survived by his college sweetheart, but wife of only four years, Annie Amendola; son Joshua Amendola; daughter Jessica Amendola-Ayles; son-in-law Ryan Ayles; father Frank Amendola; brothers Scott, Jay and Wayne Amendola; niece Ginny Walker; aunts; uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his mother, Audrey Amendola, and brother, Willet Amendola.

A dedication will take place at his beloved Avondale Golf Course next spring. In lieu of flowers consider a donation to Hospice House of North Idaho.

Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Gary’s memorial and sign his online guestbook www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.