Jerry 'Deak' Rupinski, 75

Jerry “Deak” Rupinski passed away March 13, 2025, at the age of 75, and went to be with family and friends who have passed before him, and he is now in the arms of Jesus.

Deak was born Dec. 4, 1949, to Frank and Dorthy Rupinski in Pittsburgh, Pa. His given name was Gerald Duane Rupinski, but he never liked it, so he went by Deak, and that’s what his family and friends would call him.

On Sept. 6, 1968, Deak married Shelly Rupinski. They were married for 45 years. Shelly and Deak moved to the Coeur d’Alene area, where their three sons were born. In the early years of their marriage, Deak worked with his dad, doing demolition and scrap metal. In 1976, he attended the North Idaho School of Auto Body and Paint. After that, he worked at the Idaho Transportation Department and painted the stripes that we all drive by on the roads. He also operated his own business, Deak’s Repair and Repaint. Later, he owned another business as a highway mail contractor for the U.S. Postal Service. He then worked in the construction industry after selling the highway mail contractor contract. His final job was driving a dump truck for his son Darren’s business, and it was by far his favorite job because he got to work with his son.

From the time Deak was a young boy, he loved cars and working on them. He repaired go-karts from Kennywood Amusement Park. His first car, while he lived in Phillipsburg, Mont., was given to him only if he could get it running; he was driving in no time at all. In the late 1970s, he began racing cars at Stateline Speedway and was a multi-class champion. He helped many people get affordable vehicle repairs and paint jobs. If you came to get your car tuned up, Deak always made sure you knew how to fix it yourself next time. He loved people who loved cars.

Deak’s love of his three sons had no bounds. He loved working with them and considered it his greatest joy. He spoke with his boys every day until the day he passed. Deak was a fighter at heart, and he taught his boys to be strong and stand their ground; if you know the Rupinski boys, then you know he did his job very well. His will to fight was never more evident than in the proof that he battled Multiple Myeloma cancer for 13 years and it never won. 

Deak was preceded in death by his wife, Shelly Rupinski; parents Frank and Dorthy; brother, Gene; sisters Charlene, Cheryl and Orlene. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Kristin Rupinski of Plummer, Idaho; son, Frank Rupinski of Hayden, Idaho; son and daughter-in-law Darren and Angie Rupinski of Rathdrum, Idaho; sister Diane Atkinson of Moscow, Idaho; brother and sister-in-law Tim and Tammy Rupinski of Dalton Gardens, Idaho; grandchildren: T.R., Shania, Connor, Trevor, Trisha, Rowdy, Ledger and Kage; great-grandchild Nyah; as well as 29 nieces and nephews; and his dog, Tazi.

Deak will be greatly missed by his family and friends because he was involved in their lives daily. Above all, Deak will be remembered for always being there for his family and for being a part of all their lives. There will be a celebration of life for Deak on May 10 at high noon at the Hayden Lake Eagles. He will be laid to rest at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens Cemetery with his wife and next to his mom and dad. 

Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. 

    Rupinski