Gary Ingram, 84

On Nov. 30, 2017, our strong and loving husband, father, stepdad, grandpa and great grandpa passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer at the age of 84, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Gary was born and raised in St. Paul, Minn., where he graduated from Cretin Catholic High School. He moved his family to Post Falls, Idaho, in Oct. of 1960, and lived most of his life in the greater Coeur d’Alene area of North Idaho. He married Thelma Babbitt Ingram on Oct. 1, 1992, in Coeur d’Alene. He worked until he was 75 as a sales representative for Pacific Chemical and ADK.

Gary was well known for his service as an Idaho State Representative for four terms from 1973 through 1980, and again in 2012 as a temporary fill-in for Representative Kathy Sims. He was most proud of his work as the author and driving force of the first Idaho Open Meeting Law, which requires Idaho governmental boards, commissions and councils to meet openly and provide public notice of their meetings. In 2009, Gary received the Max Dalton Open Government Award sponsored by the Idaho Newspaper Association.

Gary loved the outdoors and when he was fly fishing the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene, the Clark Fork, or the Yellowstone Rivers, he would come back with a deep appreciation for God’s love for him. He also loved camping and hunting. When he couldn’t be outdoors he would be preparing for it by fly tying or reloading bullets. Gary also loved classic cars and would often be seen at classic car shows in North Idaho showing off his 1928 Chrysler.

Gary dearly loved Thelma, his wife of 25 years, and they weekly enjoyed bowling together and spending time at all the family gatherings. Gary was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church.

Gary is survived by his wife, Thelma, of Coeur d’Alene; his sister, MaryAnn Johnson, of St. Paul, Minn.; his son, Stephen (Rita) Ingram, of Cottage Grove, Minn.; son, Greg (Cindy) Ingram, of Blanchard, Idaho; daughter, Michelle (Perry) Abbott, of Nampa, Idaho; daughter, Theresa (Steve) Roe, of Sequim, Wash.; daughter, Sonja Eau Claire, of Boise, Idaho; daughter, Mollie Ingram Petty (Gene), of Nampa; daughter, Katie Ingram, of Salem, Ore.; stepson, Chuck (Ruth) Hawley, of Hayden, Idaho; stepdaughter, Kelly (Corky) Whitaker, of Post Falls, Idaho; stepdaughter Teri (Vic) Schmehl, of Hayden, Idaho and stepson, Ed Hawley, of Coeur d’Alene. Gary leaves a legacy of 26 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Evelyn Ingram; his sister, Joan White and son, Thomas Lauer.

Gary’s life will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, at Yates Funeral Homes and Crematory, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.