Gene Oliver Markle, 92, of Boise, Idaho passed away on January 20, 2019 at a care facility in Boise. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Avenue, Baker City. Interment will be at the Haines Cemetery in Haines, Oregon. Gene was born in Baker City, Oregon on October 23, 1926 and spent the first five years on the family ranch west of Haines, Oregon. The family moved to Baker City to complete his schooling and he graduated from Baker City High School. He then joined the Navy during World War II, where he participated in combat action in the Pacific Theater. After his honorable discharge from the Navy at the end of the war, he worked in a variety of jobs for a short time around Baker City. He applied for and was accepted into the FAA as an Air Traffic Controller. He retired from the FAA after a successful career in many locations in the northwest and Alaska. He then began his second career as a real estate developer in Alaska. He was one of the first in Alaska to divide land for recreational purposes, and so making it available to the average person. He was well into his 70s when he and his wife retired to Boise, Idaho. Gene enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his life. He also was a pilot and flew his own private plane for many years in Alaska. Gene also enjoyed recreational gold mining in Alaska and had many adventures in the pursuit of the elusive nuggets contained in many streams and rivers there. Gene is survived by his wife, Joan, his daughter Kim Tix and sons Richard (Sadako), Donald, Steve, and Gene Jr. (Rochelle); many grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Denver and Jane Markle of Haines, Oregon and his sister, Nita Rude of Portland, Oregon.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gene Oliver Markle October 23 1926 January 20 2019 (age 92).
Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel: Baker City
Death notice for the town of: Baker City, state: Oregon