Dale Elvin Hunt, 79, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away peacefully at the Hayden Hospice House on Oct. 20, 2016, after enduring many years of pain and illness from his worn out, broken body. He will be missed by those who loved him and especially his wife and caregiver of 55 years, Patty. Dale was born to Ervin and Bertha Hunt in Eureka, Calif., on June 5, 1937. During his childhood he lived in Garberville, Calif., where some of his fondest childhood memories were spent there on his grandparent’s farm.

Dale joined the Navy as a young man in 1954 and proudly served on the USS Pickaway (APA-222) as a Gunner’s Mate in support of the Korean War. Dale met and married Patty in 1964 and lived in Cave Junction, Ore., until moving to Coeur d’Alene in 1970.

Dale worked as a long-haul truck driver, working for several different companies which included traveling the ALCAN Highway that ironically his dad, Ervin Hunt, had helped build in the 1940s. Dale was also one of the first trucks to cross the ice bridge while the Prudhoe Bay Road was being constructed. He retired from Door Distributors in 1985 and fulfilled his longtime dream of returning to Alaska to live. While working in Alaska, Dale suffered a broken back and after several surgeries Dale was deemed permanently disabled at the young age of 49.

Dale enjoying hunting and fishing along with tinkering in the garage on different projects. He restored several vehicles and a couple of different boats, of which many family endeavors and hilarious stories evolved. In his later years, when his body no longer allowed him to get out, he loved building model airplanes and spending time with his grandkids and his dog. He was a lifetime member of the Teamsters Union and a member of the American Legion, Post 143, in Post Falls, Idaho.

Back in the early ’70s Dale, Patty and the kids were blessed to be some of the original members of the North Idaho Jeep Club and there they enjoyed many years of friendship, and family that continued through his remaining years. The group still continues to meet each month for comradery and updates on their family’s lives.

Dale is survived by his wife, Patty; his two children, Kimi (Robert) Coles of Otis Orchards, Wash., and Kelvin (Karen) Hunt of Sagle, Idaho; special sons, Mikey Monaghan and Willie Eddy; two step-children, Deelia (Scott) Warner of Cave Junction and Franc Cooke of Virginia; two grandchildren, J Kane, Lina Kane and Sky of Bend, Ore.; 11 step-grandchildren, Kymmberly, Aubrea, Matthew, Ashleigh, Haleigh, Josh, Sam, Nisha, Forster, Canyon and Ridge; several great-grandchildren; nephew Steven (Celeste) Hunt of Quartzsite, Ariz.; four cousins, LeRoy Bush of Eureka, Sherry Fosdick of Eureka, Susie Garnett of Coeur d’Alene and Kenneth Zachary of Alaska.

He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Rusty and Carl Hunt; his step-granddaughter, Savannah Bassett; and son-in-law, John Kane.

Per Dale’s wishes, there will be a celebration of life/potluck held at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, 2016, at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel and Gathering Center, 373 E. Hayden, Idaho.

The rendering of military honors will be held in December at the Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens Cemetery during his internment, when his grandchildren return home for Christmas. Details TBD at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to help area veterans through Newby-ginnings of North Idaho, 570 S. Clearwater Loop, Unit A, Post Falls, ID 83854.

Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with final arrangements.