Dan Lee Folkins, 89, of Coeur d’Alene, ID peacefully passed away at Kootenai Medical Center on Saturday October 21, 2017.

Dan was born in Fairfield, WA on May 26, 1928.  When he was 6, his family moved to Worley, Idaho where he attended Worley school through High School  graduation in 1946.  After school he attended the University of Idaho where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education in 1950.  He spent his early career in Twin Falls Idaho coaching basketball and baseball until 1956.  In 1956 he started his second career in the wholesale petroleum industry where he stayed until his retirement in 1991.

Dan met and married his wife Paula Denoo at Tekoa on June 6, 1959.  They left Tekoa, WA in 1972 for Aptos, CA and in 1975 moved once again to Santa Maria, CA where they settled until retirement.  Upon retirement, Dan spent time fishing the St Joe River, reading and spending time with family in Northern Idaho, Washington, California, Texas and Nevada.

While in Tekoa, Dan was active in the Slippery Gulch celebration, development of the bowling alley and serving in the volunteer fire department.  As a parent in California, his hobbies were coaching his children’s sport teams as well as rooting them on in the stands.  He always enjoyed sports and was a lifetime fan of the MLB and NBA.  He was an avid fisherman enjoying river, lake and ocean fishing of all types.  His favorite was dry fly fishing which he learned from his father and passed on to his son.  Dan also enjoyed music and was often heard singing bass in the church choir or singing his favorite show tunes with Paula on piano and him at the string bass.  Dan was friendly and outgoing, a trait which led him to be a successful coach and businessman.  He was close to his extended family keeping in touch with many of his aunts, uncles and cousins. 

Dan is survived by his wife of 58 years Paula (Denoo) Folkins of Couer d’Alene, ID, his son Brad (and Kristina) Folkins of Henderson, NV, his daughter Theresa (and Bill) Crowley of Kent, WA, Granddaughters Erin Crowley of Kent, WA and Amanda Crowley of Renton, WA, Grandsons Kevin Folkins of Henderson, NV and Andrew Folkins of Reno, NV and Twin Great Grandchildren Emmitt and Dezirae Wilson of Kent, WA.  He was preceded in death by his parents Bert and Beulah Folkins, and his sisters Phyllis Johnston and Judy Dougherty.

I lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to the Tekoa Ambulance Fund, Box 597, Tekoa, 99033 or the Tekoa Empire Theater, Box 574, Tekoa, 99033.  A private graveside service will be held at Goldenrod Cemetery in Tekoa on Saturday October 28, 2017.   Kramer Funeral Home of Tekoa is caring for the family.   Online condolences may be left at www.kramercares.com.

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