Gene W. Pankey's Obituary
Gene W. Pankey
Gene W. Pankey, age 76, joined the Lord on August 22nd, 2011. Gene was diagnosed with lung cancer in March and wanted to visit Maui one last time. On his 76th birthday, Gene was admitted to Maui Memorial for shortness of breath and passed away the following week. Gene taught us what it meant to truly live and be grateful for all that God had given him. Throughout his terminal illness, and even in the final days at Maui Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loving wife Margaret, his six children, and Pastor Ralf Kalms, he reminded us that "God is good". Gene was born on August 15, 1935 in Clarkston, WA to Gray and Eugenia Pankey. He grew up in Kooskia, ID where his parents owned the local grocery store. After high school, Gene was enrolled at Whitworth College in Spokane, WA and then joined the US Army and was stationed in England. He served proudly and honorably for six years before finding his career in the auto business. Gene worked in the automobile business for 45 years and established Gene Pankey Motor Company in 1978. Throughout his years in business, Gene was proud of the company's reputation of taking great care of their customers, which is evidenced by over 60% of new business coming from repeat customers. Active in his industry, Gene served as State Manager, Regional Manager, and Vice President of U-Save Auto Rental of America, President of the Washington State Independent Auto Dealers, President of the National Fleet Resale Dealers Association and Western Vice President of the National Independent Auto Dealers Association. He received numerous awards and recognition from these organizations during his career. Gene was a generous man and a leading example of how to give back to the community. He spent 8 years as a trustee and now emeritus for the Tacoma Rescue Mission, he served 30 years in the Clover Park Rotary Club and was a past president, and was a founding director for Northwest Commercial Bank. Gene, deaf in one ear at birth and became nearly deaf in the other ear 10 years ago, focused his attention on founding "Rotarians for Hearing Regeneration" to raise money for medical research for regenerating hair cells after hearing loss. Gene was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award through Rotary International. Additionally, a Habitat for Humanity House is being built in his honor in Tillicum, WA. He was a genuine and respected leader. Gene and Margaret have been active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Parkland and Christ Lutheran Church in Lakewood for nearly 40 years. Gene was an avid reader, most interested in reading the Bible, biographies, history and current events. He loved to travel, France and Maui being his repeat favorites. His greatest happiness came from spending time with his wife Margaret and his adoring family. Gene is survived by his wife Margaret of 43 years, whom he cherished and loved dearly, and his six beloved children: Lisa Gregory, Annandale, VA, Lora Owen, Puyallup, WA, Craig Pankey, Manchester, NH, Gena Cook, Seattle, WA, Deanna Harding, Seattle WA and Jennifer Pankey, Gig Harbor, WA. He has 11 grandchildren, Timothy, James, Susanne, Jerad, Tevin, Emily, Zachary, Charles, Madison, Olivia and Abigail, as well as 4 great-grandchildren. His brothers, James and Steve Pankey, both from Kooskia, ID, and sister Lynda Swinehart, Zillah, WA, also survive him. A memorial service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church on September 10th, 2011 at 1:00 pm, followed by a reception to celebrate his life well lived. 8211 112th Street SW, Lakewood, WA. Donations can be made to any of the organizations that were important to Gene: The Tacoma Rescue Mission P O Box -1912 Tacoma, WA 98402 Clover Park Rotary Club "Rotarians for Hearing Regeneration" P O Box 98764 Lakewood, WA 98498 Christ Lutheran Church Endowment Trust 8211 112th Street SW Lakewood, WA 98498 The family would like to thank Dr. Oliveira and staff and the loving nursing staff at Maui Memorial Hospital who showed us all the "Aloha spirit" during his final days. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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