Stanley 'Gene' Pope, 86

Stanley “Gene” Pope, 86, of Hayden, Idaho, passed away Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025.

He was born June 25, 1939, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the son of Frank and Evelyn (Thompson) Pope. Gene’s grandfather had purchased 91 acres in the Garwood area off Pope Road in 1914; this is where Gene spent his childhood. He had fond memories of being raised on the farm and would often share stories of raising cattle, pigs and chickens. Gene would help his dad tend to the “horse barn” that housed the workhorses used for logging on the little North Fork of the Cd'A River. He learned about the railroad that hauled logs down the nearby Ohio Match Road, and at a very early age, he developed his love and appreciation for the outdoors. It was a hard life, but one that taught him a great work ethic at an early age. 

Gene attended elementary, junior, and senior high school in Rathdrum, Idaho, where he graduated from Rathdrum High School in 1957. Gene was an outstanding athlete at Rathdrum. He started on the football team his sophomore, junior and senior years at tailback, defensive end and punter. He really showed his athleticism on the basketball court. As a four-year letterman, Gene led his team in scoring and assists during his junior and senior years. Gene was nominated to attend West Point Academy after graduating, but felt that moving back east was not the best decision at that time. Soon after graduating from high school, Gene married his high school sweetheart, Diane Schultz, and they started their life together. Living in Rathdrum, they had three daughters, Cindy, Debbie and Tammy. In 1975, Gene moved his family back to Garwood on the “Pope” property, where he lived until his passing. Countless memories were made over Gene and Diane’s 68 years of marriage.

Gene started working for the state of Idaho Department of Highways in 1958, before moving on to Kindler Land Surveying, where he completed an International Correspondence Course in Highway Engineering. Gene left Kindler to pursue a job offer from Kootenai Electric Co-op in 1967. His first position at KEC was as an order clerk, but he was soon offered a lineman apprenticeship, which he enthusiastically accepted. After completing his apprenticeship and working as a Journeymen Lineman for about one year, Gene was offered the Operations Manager position, which he held until his retirement. Gene loved working at KEC and took his job very seriously; he was known as “Mr. Kootenai Electric” by his co-workers and consumers. His 31-year career in the power industry definitely helped provide career direction for several members of Gene’s family. Gene's two sons-in-law were Linemen/Operations Managers, and three of his grandsons are currently working as Journeymen Linemen. Gene’s legacy lives on.

Gene had a passion for the outdoors and that love of the mountains, lakes and creeks started at a very early age. At the age of 9 years old, Gene would jump the train that was headed for the lumber camps on the little North Fork of the Cd'A River and fish its tributaries. His dad, Frank, worked in the lumber camps for many years, so Gene became very familiar with the area. His favorite was Burnt Cabin Creek. Later in life, Gene held a commercial fishing license used for Kokanee salmon on Lake Pend Oreille. Gene would spend countless hours during the winter months in a 14-foot wooden boat, covered in a tarp, with a small wood stove for some heat, handlining Kokanee, or “Blue Backs,” as the locals called them. Most of the Kokanee were smoked and sold at local markets. Venison was an important commodity during those early years of Gene’s life, and he regularly provided deer meat for his family, but his true passion was hunting elk. There were not many elk locally when Gene started, so he traveled to the upper Joe. He told countless stories of packing elk quarters with no “pack boards” in those days, tying the quarters to the fenders of his old car, driving all night to get home for work Monday morning. Gene became one of the most prolific elk hunters in our area.

Gene is survived by his wife, Diane, of Garwood, Idaho; daughters Debbie (Greg) of Rathdrum/Bayview, Idaho; Tammy (Jim) of Post Falls, Idaho; son-in-law Chris of Bayview, Idaho; grandsons Rodney of Rathdrum, Idaho; Ryan of Rathdrum, Idaho; Jared (Alise) of Athol, Idaho; Matt (Brook) of Hayden, Idaho; granddaughters Sarah (Eric) of Spirit Lake, Idaho; Staci (James) of Post Falls, Idaho; Megan (Lindsay) of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and 13 great-grandchildren. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Frankie; his sister, Merelyn; his great-grandson, Sander; and his beloved daughter, Cindy.

At this time, no service is planned. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of North Idaho (2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815). Please visit Gene’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.