Charles LaPrath, 72

Charles LaPrath, 72

Charles Andrew (Chuck) LaPrath of Spokane Valley, Wash., passed away peacefully Feb. 21, 2020. Born Sept. 25, 1947, in O’Neill, Neb., Chuck was the third of four children born to Owen LaPrath and Edna (Adamson Hurd).

A graduate of Sandpoint High School, Chuck married Edith Cox, also of Sandpoint, on Dec. 22, 1967, initiating a journey together that lasted more than 52 years and included five children, 16 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A veteran of the Vietnam War, Chuck spent 6 years on active duty in the U.S. Army and an additional 22 years as a reservist in the Washington Air National Guard. A telephone technician by trade, Chuck devoted 29 years to GTE (later Verizon) working in Moscow, Sandpoint, and Coeur d’Alene until his retirement in 2004. Chuck also gave a lifetime of service to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Boy Scouts of America. He adored his wife, Edie, and was a devoted father to his children.

Although he loved camping, tinkering, whistling, pecan pie and Louis L’Amour novels, nothing made him happier than laughing with friends and family, especially his grandchildren. He was generous to a fault, tender-hearted and ever forgiving of others, and for these reasons, those who knew him will never forget him: Edie LaPrath (Spokane Valley), Lee (Melisa) LaPrath (Boise), Cindie (Brian) Holloway (Spokane Valley), Caren Cox (Moscow), Craig (Alisa) LaPrath (Moscow), and Casey (Lanora) LaPrath (Spokane), and their posterity. We love you, Chuck.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2801 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Yates Funeral Home of Coeur d’Alene is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Chuck’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com