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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Boatright, Clyde A.

Age 82

BOATRIGHT, Clyde A.
(Age 82)

Clyde A. Boatright passed away September 3, 2012.

Clyde was born on July 7, 1930 to Earl and Vinnie Boatright in Manzanola, Colorado.

A few years later, the family moved to Hansen, ID, and later to Twin Falls, ID.

Clyde joined the US Navy in 1947 at the age of 17, becoming a Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class and Small Arms Instructor.

He had tours in Korea, Japan, Puerto Rico, Alaska, and San Diego, which included duties on various ships and underwater demolition teams.

After 21 years of service, Clyde retired from the Navy in 1968.
Clyde met his wife Karen “Bing” while both were serving in the Navy and both were on the U.S. Navy Rifle Team stationed in San Diego; competing in the West Coast matches, Quantico, VA, and finals in Camp Perry, OH.

Clyde was All Navy rifle (M-1) champion in 1967, and his wife became Distinguished Rifleman in M-1 competition in 1971 with only six other women in the USA at that time.

They were married 45 years and have no children.
After retirement, Clyde and Bing moved to Idaho in 1968.

Clyde was in Idaho Fish & Game; worked as a private contractor in road construction; had his own bus company known as Panhandle Area Transit in Coeur d’Alene; was a real estate agent with Century 21; was a member of North Idaho Fair Board for many years; and later went into Politics in 1994 as an Idaho State Senator for eight years; as well as always being a rancher.

Clyde was also a member of the Calam Temple Shriners and Kootenai Lodge #24.
Clyde was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

He is survived by his wife, Bing of Rathdrum; two sisters, Vinnie Standley and Imogene Heath both of Twin Falls, ID; and numerous nieces and nephews.
At Clyde’s request, no services will be held.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Shriners Children Hospital in Spokane, WA.

or Kootenai Humane Society at PO Box 1005 in Hayden, ID 83835.


ENGLISH FUNERAL CHAPEL OF COEUR D’ALENE has been entrusted to handle final arrangements.