Gene Thomas Burney, 84

Gene Thomas Burney passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 18, 2023.

Gene was born May 29, 1938, in Brownsville, Texas, to Thomas and Aralia Burney and 3-year-old sister Doris. The family moved around to different places, from job to job. His siblings, Joe, Steve and Maxine, were born into the family along the way and their growing family eventually settled in Albuquerque, N.M.

Gene attended school in Albuquerque through the ninth grade, when his father was in an accident and broke his back. Gene had to quit school and help support the family. He got a union job through Operating Engineers working at JD Shotwell.

He worked on a number of different jobs; one of the jobs he landed was in Flagstaff, Ariz. This is where he met and fell in love with Sharon Rogers. They were married in June 1960. They settled in Quincy, Wash., where they started their family. Thomas was born in 1961. After losing a son, David, at birth, they welcomed their son Randy in 1965. In 1969, they moved their family to Sandpoint, Idaho. He then began working for Kuney Construction.

He was a master mechanic. He worked on jobs like the Libby Dam, Safeco Field and Snoqualmie Pass. He and Sharon were divorced in 1976, but they always remained friends. Gene later married Catherine Norris, and she had four children: Brenda, Leroy, Debbie and Steve; and they lived in Spokane, Wash. Gene retired in 1998 and they moved to Clarkston, Wash., where they lived until Catherine passed away from breast cancer. Gene then moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to be closer to his boys.

Gene enjoyed his retirement; camping, fishing, four-wheeling and spending time with family.

He is survived by his sons, Thomas (Stacy) Burney and Randy (Kristie) Burney; stepchildren Brenda Norris, Leroy Norris and Debbie Norris; plus numerous loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Steve (Charlene) Burney; and sister Maxine (Bob) Ramey; as well as several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Catherine Burney; former wife/friend Sharon Burney; son David Burney; stepson Steve Norris; grandson Dustin Dodge; parents Thomas and Aralia Burney; brother Joe Burney; sister Doris Kernodle and brother-in-law Stratton Kernodle.

There will be a memorial and celebration of life this summer, to be announced at a later date.

To leave a message or memory for the family, go to www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com. Bonners Ferry Funeral Home is caring for the family.