No headline

Anson Walter Gable, 75

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Anson Walter Gable, age 75, on March 5, 2018. Anson was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, in 1943. He spent his childhood through early adult years in Kimberly, Idaho.

As a youngster, Anson enjoyed playing basketball and loved fishing and hunting. His passion for these activities continued into adulthood. He was known by many as an avid Gonzaga basketball fan as well as an accomplished fisherman and outdoorsman. Anson’s favorite place to fish was the Salmon River, and he loved camping in the Clearwater with his family. Although he had his favorite destinations, Anson proudly proclaimed that he had visited nearly every town in Idaho during fishing, hunting, camping and work trips.

In 1961, Anson married his beautiful bride, Constance, in Boise, Idaho. Shortly thereafter, they gave birth to their first son, Brian, then Robert, Thomas and James. Anson and family moved to Hayden, Idaho in 1976. Anson managed the Finucane cattle ranch when they first lived in Hayden. In those days, the ranch encompassed several hundred acres in Hayden and consisted of about 1,000 cattle.

Anson is probably best known for his work at the Hayden Fire Station. In 1978, Anson became the station attendant at the Hayden Fire Station. As the fire department’s first paid employee, Anson took his job very seriously. As a testament to his hard work and dedication, Anson was known to have held this position for 18 months straight without a single day off.

During his time at the fire station, Anson advanced in his duties to become Fire Marshal and the proud bearer of Badge No. 9. He also attended night courses and went through additional training, and in 1989 was sworn in as Special Deputy with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department as an arson investigator. Anson retired from these duties in 2003. The Hayden Lake fire boat is named the “Anson Gable” in honor of his 25 years of dedicated service.

In 2001, Anson was elected to the Hayden City Council. He was re-elected in 2005, thus serving two terms in office, ending in 2009. Anson was a natural born leader and worked his positions of authority with great care and consideration. Ardently loyal to family and community and dedicated to standing up for what is right; Anson’s greatest passion was helping others. Many adored and respected Anson deeply, and his legacy will thrive because of this admiration.

Along with being a loyal and hard worker, he was a dedicated family man and a friend to many. Anson is well known for his sense of humor and descriptive storytelling abilities. Anson could captivate an audience like no other. Were his stories tall tales or true accounts? Likely a bit of both, but only Anson knows for sure.

Anson is preceded in death by his father, Arthur; his mother, Beulah; son, Brian and sisters, Patricia Howard and Paula Banning. He is survived by his wife, Constance (Seabeck) Gable; sons, Robert, Thomas and James; six grandsons and six granddaughters; one great-grandson and sister, Linda Dillon.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 17, 2018, at Yates Funeral Home and Gathering Center, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden, Idaho.

The family would like to thank Dr. Romeo Pavlic of Spokane, and Dr. Todd Hoopman and the many other doctors and nurses that cared for Anson at Kootenai Health.

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

Donations may be made to the Northern Lakes Fire Station No. 1 in Hayden, or to a charity of your choice.