George Eugene Start

George Eugene Start passed away at his home in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on January 7, 2025, following an extended illness. He was 88 years old.

George “Gene” was born on November 4th, 1936, to George Edwin Start and Evelyn (Raber) Start. Gene grew up on Bainbridge Island surrounded by extended family. He grew up in a home that overlooked Rich’s Passage and had wild stories of going to scary movies with his brother and some older kids in Lynwood and then walking home alone in the spooky woods. During these early years, Gene often tagged along after his older brother and developed his sport skills from playing with and against the older boys. This love of physical activity shaped his high school years. Gene lettered in football, basketball and baseball at Bainbridge High.

Basketball was always his favorite sport. Gene attended Washington State University where he had the chance to play basketball while he earned his bachelor’s degree. Gene was a serious student. After his first year, he opted away from college sports to focus on earning his degree in meteorological physics.

After college graduation, Gene became an officer in the Airforce. While he was waiting to go on active duty, he met the girl for him. In June of 1961, he married Joyce Ostrand and left to become an AirForce meteorologist. Together they started a new life and a family in Fort Worth, Texas. Gene became a father to Sharon and David in Texas followed by the birth of Steven in Yakima, Washington. During these busy years, Gene worked while earning his masters in Atmospheric Physics. He was the voice on the radio weather report in Yakima and every day at lunch, Joyce would turn up the radio and tell the kids to listen to daddy giving the weather report. After a few early moves, the couple settled in Idaho Falls so Gene could pursue his interest in research. He worked for the NOAA office in Idaho Falls where of he was able to study various types particulate dispersion and the effects of turbulence on a number of systems. He completed several big studies and helped innovate many new technologies- such as computerizing gas sampling and other information collection systems.

To those of us who knew and loved him best, Gene was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He enjoyed helping others and missed having the ability to do simple tasks in his later years. Gene lived a service focused life. He was the first one to show up and complete any task that was needed. He was famous in the family for making thousands of the best waffles for breakfast. Every one of his kids and grandkids have many stories of things that Papa Gene did to help them. Sometimes he was a voice of reason and calm. Just as often he was equally quick with a silly joke or smile. Gene could always be convinced to go fishing and he enjoyed time spent boating on Puget Sound.

Gene had a love of life that did not diminish even in his inactive years. He always faced each day with few complaints and a joy for the next story or laugh. He appreciated all that was done to care for him by his wife- especially in the last years of his life.

Gene was survived by his wife Joyce of 63 years, daughter Sharon (Mark) Oliver of Idaho Falls, son David Start of Idaho Falls, and son Steven (Roylene) Start of Colorado Springs and eight grandkids Mark (Kim) Oliver, Katie (Riccardo) Emilien, Liz (Ayo) Abebefe, Andrea (Walter) Williams, Andrew (Lydia) Start, Matthew (Kristin) Start, Sarah Start and John Start and 9 great grandchildren.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jack.

The family thanks the many health providers at Symbii Hospice, especially Nicole and Sterling. We cannot begin to offer adequate thanks to Tammy, Deyse and the other Visiting Angels who helped him stay at home in comfort and dignity.

A celebration of life is planned on April 5th from 11 AM to 2 PM at the family home. Gene will be buried on Bainbridge Island at a later date.