Dale "Gene" Atchison, a lifelong resident of Craigmont passed away unexpectedly Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, at St. Mary's Hospital in Cottonwood.

He was born on April 17, 1948, to Oliver and Helen Atchison in Cottonwood. He graduated from Spokane Community College and then joined the US Marine Corps, serving from 1969 through 1971.

On June 20, 1970, he married Ginny Anderson and they spent the next 53.5 years falling even more in love. In 1980 and 1982 he welcomed his two daughters, Mandy and Rachel into the world. They quickly stole his heart and he spent his life doting on them as much as he could.

Gene was a devoted family man when his father passed away when he was young he took on a fatherly role for his younger siblings he also took many of his nieces and nephews under his wing as they grew as family was the center of his heart and his greatest joy was watching all of them grow up gene was also a devoted Christian whose faith was the centerpiece of his life he could often be found serving the church and the community being the hands and feet of Jesus.

After returning from his service Gene worked as an operating engineer apprentice. He traveled around the northwest doing road construction. Throughout the years when traveling around he would often point out to his family which roads he helped to build. He then worked for Lewiston Grain Growers in Craigmont first in their farm store and then at the fertilizer plant. The next part of Gene's career was spent at the Idaho Transportation Department taking care of the state roadways he then moved over to the Nez Perce County Road department in Gifford where he eventually retired.

After his retirement Gene loved spending his time working with the Riggers family helping them to farm. Gene loved the outdoors and spent a lot of time camping with his family. Many weekends their camper could be found in the woods. Gene also enjoyed traveling with his family. They took adventures all over the United States together. His family is especially thankful for the last trip to Maine in the fall of 2023, a trip he had talked about taking for years.

Survivors' names were omitted per the findagrave policy.

Gene was preceded in death by his father Oliver Atchison; mother Helen Tweedy; stepfather Glen Tweedy; brother Lynn Atchison; brother-in-law Joe Sheldon; son-in-law Marcus Fowler and nephew Kelly Robertson.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 17th at Vassar-Ralls Funeral Home, 920 21st Ave. Lewiston. It will be officiated by Gene's very close friend, pastor John Fowler. This will be followed by a graveside service at the Craigmont cemetery at 1:30 PM and a reception at the American Legion Hall in Craigmont immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Craigmont QRU to Wreaths Across America.

Lewiston Tribune 10 Feb. 2024