Patrick 'Pat' John Tuttle, 62

Patrick “Pat” John Tuttle, 62, of Post Falls, died Oct. 5, 2020, of complications from cancer in Spokane, Wash.

He was born Sept. 29, 1958, in Spirit Lake, Idaho, to James and Fern Tuttle. He grew up in Rathdrum, Idaho, and graduated from Lakeland High School in 1976.

He joined the United States Navy in October 1976, where he honorably served his country for 16 years — with close to seven of those years at sea on different aircraft carriers, including USS Enterprise, USS Saratoga and USS Kitty Hawk. Traveling the world, crossing the equator to become a shellback and earning many badges and medals along the way. He was stationed at Key West, Fla., and Whidbey Island, Wash., and retired an AMW-1 in 1995.

Pat received his certificate in automotive technologies in 1997 and worked in the automotive field until he began work at Boeing in 1998. He retired from Boeing in 2017.

When Pat was younger he loved to bull ride, race dirt bikes and play softball. He was an avid hunter who also loved camping and 4-wheeling up in the mountains. When he wasn’t in the mountains, you would find him golfing or traveling the country with the love of his life.

He was a proud, lifetime member of the VFW and the NRA.

Pat had numerous lifetime friends growing up in Idaho and who he met through the Navy and his Boeing career. He loved to tease and joke with everyone and would bend over backward to help out family and friends.

Pat is survived by his wife, Kelley, and his children, Virginia (Robert) Burke, Dustin Tuttle, Ailene Tuttle and Eric Tuttle; grandchildren, Zach, Jacob and Emily; his six siblings: Robert (Patricia) Tuttle, Karen Hawks, Kathy Houck, Mike (Michelle) Tuttle, Andy (Angie) Tuttle, Susie (Rod) Heistuman; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Fern Tuttle, and Darci Tuttle (Zibell), beloved mother to Virginia and Dustin.

A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. on Oct. 24, 2020, at Pinegrove Cemetery in Rathdrum, followed by a celebration of his life at 2 p.m. on Oct. 25, 2020, at the Rathdrum Senior Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a local VFW.