Gary Joe Beach

Gary Joe Beach, 66, formerly of Enterprise, died June 10 at Valley Vista in Sandpoint, Idaho. A celebration of life will be held later.

Gary was born April 11, 1945, to Joe and Lillian (Snyder) Beach in Enterprise. He attended Paradise Grade School and then Enterprise High School, graduating in 1963. He attended college at the Oregon Institute of Technology, earning degrees in welding and blue drafting.

Gary married Carol Ann Bauck Sept. 5, 1972, in Asotin. They divorced in 1974. On May 25, 1988, he married Florance Evans in Clarkston. They divorced in 2003.

He served in the U.S. Navy Dec. 9, 1965, to Nov. 20, 1969, during the Vietnam conflict. Gary earned the National Deference Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Medal and three gold stars.

After his time in the service, Gary operated the Texaco gas station on River Street in Enterprise. He moved to Clarkston, Wash., in the 1970s. He worked as a welder for Stieger Grain Elevator for many years.

Gary was a life member of the VFW in Clarkston and the Royal Coachman Car Club in Enterprise. He enjoyed working on vehicles and welding trailers. In 1993, Gary had a brain aneurysm that changed his life forever.

Survivors include two sisters, Sue and her husband, Monte Radford, and Donna Dunning, all of Enterprise; a brother, Thomas and his wife, Laura Beach, of Enterprise; and stepchildren; nieces; and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ronald Beach; and his grandparents, Dale and Cordelia Beach and Jeff and Ruby Snyder.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Clarkston VFW Post 1443.

.