PORTLAND – Chinook resident Gene L. Leach, 82, died Oct. 29, 2006, in Portland, Ore. The son of William and Vena (Paxton) Leach, he was born March 30, 1924, in Toledo. He grew up in Toledo where he played basketball and baseball for the Toledo town team. He was a 1942 graduate of Toledo High School.

Mr. Leach served with the U.S. Army during World War II as a guard at a prisoner of war camp in Louisiana. Following his military service he married Joyce Templeton on April 7, 1946 – they recently celebrated their 60th anniversary.

Moving to Longview he worked at Long Bell Kitchen Cabinets. After several years there he began employment in the pulp mill at Weyerhaeuser Paper, retiring in 1980.

For over 10 years he and his wife housed numerous basketball players attending Lower Columbia College in Longview, closely following their games, whether at home or away. In Longview he also coached Little League baseball for over 15 years.

While living in Longview he was a member of the Longview Community Church, later the American Baptist Church, and currently he attended Ocean Beach Presbyterian Church in Seaview.

After moving to Chinook in 1980 he became an active member of the community. He was past president and an active supporter of the Sea Resources fish hatchery in Chinook, elected fire commissioner and was instrumental in the construction of a new fire hall in Chinook. He and his wife were volunteers at the Naselle Youth Camp and also were heavily involved with the start up and operation of the Peninsula Food Bank for over 10 years.

Throughout his life Mr. Leach was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed fishing on the Columbia River and proudly displayed his “Buoy 10” license plate on his car. He was a skilled woodworker who made many innovative birdhouses, which he shared with others. A kind and quiet man, he took pride in his honesty and strong sense of values and was totally dedicated to his family.

He is survived by his wife Joyce of Chinook; sons, Michael Leach of Portland, Ore., and Phillip Leach of Ocean Park; daughter and son-in-law Kathy and Chuck Brown of Selah; grandchildren Christopher Leach, Jessica and Michael Leach, Jason, Travis and Brett Brown; great-grandchildren Gavin and Davis Leach. He was preceded in death by siblings Maxine, Marion, William and Glenora.

A celebration of his life will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Peninsula Church Center in Seaview, with a reception following at the church. Memorials in his memory may be made to the Chinook Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 235, Chinook, WA. 98614. Arrangements are by Penttila’s Chapel by The Sea, Long Beach. The guest book may be signed at www.penttilaschapel.com.