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Roger Gillaspy, 82

| October 8, 2021 1:00 AM

Roger Gillaspy, 82

Roger Estel Gillaspy passed peacefully from this life on Sept. 27, 2021, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He was born Nov. 26, 1938, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Paul Estel Gillaspy and Helen I. (Moon) Gillaspy. He graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School there in 1956 and went on to proudly serve in the U.S. Navy. Roger was stationed at Whidbey Island, Wash., until 1959 as an aviation electrician in a patrol squadron that flew the South China Sea.

Returning home, he was hired as a U.S. Postal Clerk and married Sherryl Price Gillaspy on July 2, 1961. They were blessed with two daughters, Cara and Stacia, and lived in Underwood, Iowa. In 1973 they moved to Post Falls, Idaho, and Roger worked at the Coeur d’Alene Post Office until retirement, completing 37 years of service. He then went to work in the control room at the Kootenai County Public Safety Building.

Roger grew up enjoying nature and being outside, fishing, hunting, doing archery, traveling, listening to country music, filling in for Santa, and boating — always a great pleasure. Family vacations were usually spent near the water somewhere. He shared his strong faith and prayed with and for many. Great attributes were his friendly smile and a loving, caring heart.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gary and Brian; and daughter, Cara. He is survived by his wife, Sherryl; daughter, Stacia Gillaspy; granddaughters, Amanda Gillaspy and Bethany (and CJ) Zettler; grandson, Chad (and Alicia) Bickel; great-grandchildren: Keishon, Kyron, Kayden, Kyler, Karter, Koda, Emmett, Harper; nieces, nephews, other family, and friends. Roger will be greatly missed and dearly loved forever.

A memorial service will held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at the Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden, ID 83835. Inurnment will be at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, Wash. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Maple Street Community Church, 9485 N. Maple St., Hayden, ID 83835 or the Schneidmiller Hospice House, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’ Alene, ID 83815 (www.hospiceofnorthidaho.org).

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Roger’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com