Joseph Patrick 'Pat' Acuff, 78

Joseph Patrick “Pat” Acuff, left his beloved Coeur d’Alene on Feb. 9, 2024. He passed peacefully at his home in Fernan Lake Village with his wife by his side and his heart filled with the love of all his friends and family. Pat was born March 20, 1945, in Coeur d’Alene at Lake City General Hospital (now the Iron Horse parking lot) to Joe and Lucile Acuff. Pat was a fourth-generation Idahoan and proud of it! 

His childhood home was on Front Street not far from Lake View Hill (now Tubbs Hill) and Sanders Beach. He loved being a child in Coeur d’Alene and never tired of all there was to do here as a kid.

Pat graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1963 and attended the University of Idaho. He is a proud member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and graduated with a degree in business with a real estate marketing major. 

In 1967, Pat joined his father’s real estate brokerage, Acuff Realty. He loved real estate. He obtained his real estate license in 1967, broker license in 1972, GRI in 1972, C.C.I.M. in 1974, Local President in 1972 and 1993, Realtor of the Year in 1973, MLS Chairman in 1978, State Long Range Planning 1971-1973, State Executive Committee 1981-1985, State President 1984 and C.C.I.M. President 1986. 

He was a true pillar to this community. Affiliations include Jaycees and Pat was president 1969. Pat was a co-founder of Jr. Tackle Football (Charter President 1969-1971), he taught Real Estate Principles at the North Idaho College for three years in the 1970s, Ducks Unlimited 1972-1990 (Chairman 1983-1986), City Council of Fernan Lake Village from 1993-2000 and mayor of the city of Fernan Lake Village 2001-2007, President of Avondale Golf Course 2000-2001 and he has been on the board of Athletic Round Table Charitable Trust since 2000. He was always there to sponsor any local teams, events, fundraisers, buy uniforms or whatever was needed. 

He loved Fernan Lake Village. He loved his home on Fernan Lake where he has resided since 1980. When hillside development was proposed on Fernan Lake, Pat Acuff, Jim Elder and Doug Potter (all former mayors of Fernan) purchased the hillside across from the village to save it from development and further damaging Fernan Lake. It was then donated to the city of Coeur d’Alene for recreational purposes only.

Pat cherished Friendship, Honesty and Loyalty above all else. He loved his Country and it’s history. He had a network of friends from childhood, business and college that have always stayed united. He was rich with the things that mattered in life; Family, Friends, Community, Honesty and Values.

Pat married his wife, Heidi (Williams) in July 1995. He was always proud that she was his first wife (her first husband too)! The highlight of his life came in October 1996, with the birth of their son, Colby Acuff. His heart grew three sizes after that! He was so proud of Colby. He loved watching Colby navigate the country music industry to the success of signing with Sony Music Nashville in April 2023. When Pat could not be there to watch Colby’s shows, Instagram and Facebook became one of Pat’s best friends to watch clips of Colby’s shows around the country. Colby is lucky to have Pat’s values and honesty instilled in him. (We are not sure about the music talent.)

Oh yes, Pat was not afraid to have fun! While in college, he played drums for “The Contempo’s” Rock Band. The highlight of this was being hired to play at the Rathskellers a few times in Coeur d’Alene. He played softball, was an avid snowmobiler and duck hunter for years, shot skeet and loved the game and comaraderie of golf. Most, if not all of these required the ability to drink a few beers with his friends afterward, which he was good at! 

Pat loved old cars, western art, bird hunting and country music. He had all it takes to be a wonderful man, husband, father, mentor, brother and friend. It is hard to lose a man like this who worked so hard to make Coeur d’Alene a better place.

Pat is survived by his wife, Heidi; son Colby; sister-in-law Bonnie Acuff; nieces Cindy Nelson (Doug), Alicia Stephens (Robert), Joanne Acuff and Ashley Williams; nephew Curt Acuff; one old brother-in-law, Mark Nance; and “The Butt Sisters” sisters-in law, Cindy Williams and Kim Nance.

Services and celebration of life will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the Hagadone Event Center, 984-986 S. Floating Green Drive, Coeur d’Alene, with Yates Funeral Home in care of the arrangements. Burial will be at the Riverview Section of Forest Cemetery. 

Financial contributions in memory of Pat Acuff can be made to The Athletic Round Table Foundation (corrected address) P.O. Box 1379, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816. The family would like to especially thank all the people and caregivers of North Idaho Hospice for their help in allowing him to fulfill his wish of a peaceful passing in his own home.

Please visit Pat’s memorial and sign his online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.