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Mark Scott Boss Sr.

Mark Scott Boss Sr., of Athol, Idaho, went to be with his Lord on July 17, 2018 after a two-year battle with cancer. Mark had a love for life that was contagious. He always had a constant grin and a laugh you couldn’t resist, bringing joy to everyone who had the privilege to be around him. Mark will be greatly missed by his wife of 24 years, family, friends and coworkers.

Mark was born Nov. 20, 1956, in Whittier, Calif. He was the youngest of three boys to John and Nadine Boss. His family moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1967, where Mark attended Central Elementary School and Coeur d’Alene Junior High and High School, graduating in 1974. He graduated from the North Idaho Junior College automotive mechanics program in 1975.

Mark married his first wife, Cheryl Gulledge from Rathdrum, Idaho, in 1976 and had two children, Christie and Mark Jr. Mark worked several different places in Coeur d’Alene throughout the early years. He eventually divorced, and started a new chapter in his life when he opened Boss’ Bodies Unlimited Gym in 1987, in the old Elks building on Lakeside and Fifth Street; it’s where he met his present wife, Cheryl Templin.

Mark eventually sold his gym and began working for a company moving buildings in the North Idaho area. This career change led him to start a new company, Emerald City Transport & Structure Moving, in 1992. Mark moved numerous buildings and houses, but the most famous was the beautiful, old Northern Pacific Railroad Depot, in Wallace, Idaho, to its present location on Sixth Street.

Another new chapter was when he married Cheryl Templin on Oct. 8, 1993, creating a wonderful combined family with 5 kids. Mark took advantage of moving houses, and moved one for himself, Cheryl and the kids on 10-acres in Rathdrum. He blessed his brothers, Dave and Dan, by finding and moving each of them a house on their acreage in Athol.

Mark’s talents also led him to work for Nelson Fabrication in Hayden, Idaho, for several years; Swaggart Brothers Construction on a special project in Texas; and finally the last company that he worked for and thoroughly enjoyed was T. LaRiviere Equipment & Excavation in Rathdrum, where he was fabrication manager. Although he lived in tremendous pain, Mark continued working nearly to the end with his infectious grin, laughter and positive attitude.

Many interests entertained Mark’s life through the years, horseback riding, hunting and shooting, especially the long-range dynamite shoots which the whole Boss family enjoyed. But Mark’s great passion in the latter half of his life was racing his 1970 Chevy Nova at the quarter- mile drag races. In addition to the joy and fun his Nova brought him, having fun with Cheryl, his children and grandkids also took center stage. Mark also found a new kind of joy when he received Jesus as his personal Savior this past Easter Sunday, because now he’s pain-free and home with his Lord.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, John and Nadine. He is survived by wife, Cheryl; oldest brother, Dave (Joyce); brother Dan (Kathie); children, Christie Boss, Mark Boss Jr., Trevor (Jenifer) Darnold, BritNea (Richard) Martin and Rob Templin; grandchildren, Bethanie and Morgan Hulce and Kammie, Cole, Logan and Tristan Darnold; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 29, 2018, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with a reception and BBQ afterward at Dave and Joyce Boss’ home, 25518 N. Hester Road in Athol. Please bring a side dish or dessert, beverage and lawn chairs.