Gene Pyburn, 72

Claude Eugene "Gene" Pyburn, 72, of Mountain Home, died June 5, 2005, at his home, with his family by his side.

Viewing will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8, at Rost Funeral Home, Mountain Home. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday June 9, at the Church of the Nazarene in Mountain Home, with committal at Mountain View Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, Mountain Home.

Gene was born June 24, 1932, in Colfax, Wash., to Claude and Edna Pyburn. He was raised and went to school in Wallace, Idaho.

He married Sally Jane Hawley on Oct. 27, 1951.

Gene joined the Air Force on October 21, 1952, and retired from the Air Force in 1973. He moved his family to Mountain Home where he remained until his death.

After retiring from the Air Force, he worked for Sawtooth Lumber Company and Mountain Home Ready Mix, after which he again retired in 1995.

"Gene was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather," his family said. "Gene was a father of three and grandfather of 10 and great grandfather of 2. He will be greatly missed by all of us."

Survivors include: his wife, Sally Jane; his son, Steve Pyburn and his wife, Linda; a daughter, Debbie Gentle and her husband, Jim; a daughter, Gina Hagler and her special friend, Randy Crotto; a sister, Gerene Garza, of Exter, Calif.; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Daniel Austin Hagler.

Memorial contributions may be made to Horizon Hospice, 1310 American Legion Blvd., Mountain Home, ID 83647, or a charity of your choice.