Fred Gearhart

Fred Agnew Gearhart, 62, of Wardner, Idaho, passed away September 30, 2013 at the family home of Wardner. He was born February 4, 1951 at Carmel, California; Fred was the son of Richard Dean and Christine (Leffingwell) Gearhart.

Fred attended and graduated from the Sweetwater High School of San Diego, California. After high school he joined the U.S. Army to serve his country and see the expanded horizon. After serving in the Army, Fred spent time in San Diego searching for a profession and future. After many years in the California heat and sun, Fred’s feet carried him to the Silver Valley in 1979.

Fred first worked at the Bunker Hill Mining Company learning the trade and skills. Those Skills provided him with numerous opportunities around the Pacific Northwest to travel and express his trade of techniques. Fred spent the last of his years back in the Silver Valley as a Galena millwright.

Though many years of Fred’s life was shared between the Silver Valley, California and most of the Pacific Northwest, Fred’s life was never so whole than the time he spent in beautiful Shoshone County. In 1981, Fred met the woman he would spend the rest of his life with. Through mutual friends, Fred and Rae Jean Schiro came to know one another. It only took a week, before Rae and Fred knew their souls were meant to stay together for the rest of their lives. Fred also loved and enjoyed spending times with his family, children, grandchildren, the outdoors and watching a good action packed man made movie.

Fred is survived by his wife Rae Jean Gearhart of the family home of Wardner; two daughters Lisa Ricks of Elko, Nevada, Jenny (Walt) Robinett of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho; three sons Zach Gearhart of San Diego, California, Scott (Starla) Ricks of Elko, Nevada, Nathan (Tisha) Whatcott of Kellogg; his grandchildren Hailey Banning, Wayne Brenner, Dan Brenner, Katie Ricks, Hunter Ricks, Riley Ricks, Reed Whatcott, Coraline Whatcott, Darian Robinett, Danin Robinett; Fred’s great-grandchildren Colin “Corn Doggie” Banning, Braden Banning, Madison Brenner and Parker Brenner; his step-mother Shelly Gearhart of Missouri; two brothers Mike Gearhart of Government Gulch, Gary Gearhart of Government Gulch; two sisters Gloria McKinney of Wardner and Beverly Gearhart. Fred was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, October 4, 2013 at 3:00 P.M. at the Kellogg Funeral Chapel of Kellogg with Pastor Corey Berti officiating. Inurnment will be held at the Greenwood Cemetery of Kellogg. There will be a gathering of family and friends at the Kellogg Elks following services.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Shoshone Cancer Resource Center, 204 Oregon Street, Suite J, Kellogg, Idaho 83837.

SHOSHONE FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORY KELLOGG, IDAHO is entrusted with funeral arrangements.

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