Laurel E. "Gene" Manley

Gene Manley, 84, passed away peacefully on the night of Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee, Washington. He was born in Edison, Nebraska, February 20, 1933, to John V. and Lorene Manley. A family of four moved to New Meadows, Idaho, in 1937, then to Weiser, Idaho, in 1945, where he graduated high school in 1951. Weiser is also where he met the love of his life, Rene Widner, and they married January 2, 1953.

Gene worked the retail lumber yards for Boise Payette Lumber Co. up until 1962, when he went to work for the U.S Bureau of Reclamation core drilling crew. He began out of the regional crew in Boise, Idaho, and traveled to work in Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, California, Utah and Washington.

In 1967 he moved his family, wife Rene, daughters: Chris and Angel, and boys: John, Tony, and Rick to Coulee Dam, Washington. Gene was head supervisor for the drill crew for the construction of the Third Power Plant and continued his work for the bureau until he retired somewhere around 1986.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Rene Manley; daughter, Chris Bowman; son, John Manley; and grandsons: Timmy and Rick Manley Jr.

Gene was an amazing man whose loyalty and love for his family was truly a beautiful experience. The love for us all shone bright through his eyes and hugs. He was proud of his kids and grandkids and had a very special love for his great-grandkids.

His strength and love reflects in those who carry on his legacy. He is survived by sons: Tony Manley, and Rick Manley Sr.; daughter, Angel Hall; 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Services for Gene are scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, September 16, at the Nazarene Church in Grand Coulee. All are welcome to come celebrate Gene's life.