COEUR d'ALENE - For Eugene "Gene" Miller, there was his family, his profession and his community.

There was never any doubt in which order they came.

More than his career as an attorney which earned him positions on several hospital boards and eventually state and national recognition, more than the community to which he devoted countless hours through a number of service clubs, his passion, first and foremost, was his family.

"I remember his sense of humor, and his love of family," said Gene's son Pat, an attorney at Paine Hamblen in Coeur d'Alene, the practice Gene first joined as senior partner in 1986. "He was so proud of his six grandchildren."

Gene passed away Saturday, leaving his family - as well as friends and the community he cherished -behind. He was 89.

"He was wonderful," said his wife, Mary, who was married to Gene for 63 years. "I don't know how else you put it. He was a wonderful lawyer and a wonderful, wonderful father. His children came first for him."

Gene's career as an attorney in Coeur d'Alene began in 1949 before he merged his practice, Miller and Miller, in 1986 with Paine Hamblen. He specializing in liability litigation until he retired in 2006. Along the way, he was admitted to the U.S. District Court of Idaho in 1949, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit in 1953, and the U.S. Supreme Court in 2002.

While family came first, Miller's legal prowess was unquestioned.

"In the minds of many, he was the top lawyer in Idaho for many years," said Duane B. Hagadone, founder of The Hagadone Corp. "His advice and his wisdom were sought by leaders throughout the state."

His impact, however, reached beyond the legal community.

"Not only was he the dean of the legal community here and a tremendous help to our company, but Gene Miller was also an absolute gentleman," Hagadone said.

Miller served on the Idaho State Board of Education, Rotary International, the University of Idaho Board of Regents, and was on the Board of Directors of Lake City General Hospital, a predecessor to Kootenai Health. He was also active in the Eagles Club, Boy Scouts and Elks Club, as well as a devout member of St. Thomas Catholic Church.

An avid golfer, swimmer and outdoor recreationalist, North Idaho was perfect for the Ohio native.

"I think he was just proud of being in Coeur d'Alene," Mary said. "He thought it was the greatest place there was. "

And he was also proud of having combined his love for family with his profession, working side-by-side with his son, Pat, for 26 years.

"My dad was my inspiration to become a lawyer. I wanted to become a lawyer to be like him and be with him," Pat said. "Of all the categories I can place Dad within, he was my mentor."

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Thomas Catholic Church.