Wesley Eugene Newbury Sr., age 75, went home to his father in Heaven on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, surrounded by his family. Gene was born on Dec. 21, 1942, to the late Herbert Lee Newbury and Mary Alice Arnold Newbury in Aberdeen, Wash. His family homesteaded land in Humptulips. Shortly after his birth, they moved to Morton, Wash., but returned to Humptulips where he lived the rest of his life on the homestead.

He attended the old Humptulips school, then later went to Lake Quinault School until his senior year, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he received his GED and proudly served his country for six years.

Gene married his life-long love, Rose Milbourn on Sept. 28, 1964, and together they had three wonderful children. Gene was a hard-working family man who worked many different jobs throughout his life to provide for his family. After his time in the Army, he came home and worked sawing shakes at Crane Creek and Philchuck. Then, because of a wrist problem, he began driving log truck for Morrison Log. Gene and his brother-in-law, Dave Milbourn started a company, D&M Salvage and had a shingle and ridge mill, but his love for trucks lead to the start-up of the family owned log trucking company in 1978. After the changing times in the logging industry, he started working for Asplundh Tree Expert Company where he worked for 25 years and retired at the age of 72. He stayed busy with working on the family-owned ranch as a mechanic and overall go-to handyman for anything and everything. Gene had rough hands, but a kind heart and everyone who met him knew that he was a hard-working man full of wisdom and old-fashioned morals, which he instilled in all his children.

He was preceded in death by his parents Herbert Lee and Mary Alice Newbury, and his two brothers, Herbert and Frank Newbury. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Rose; three children, Tammy (Jon) Neeland, Wesley Jr. “Deano” (Jenni), Robert (LaDonna); and 12 grandchildren, Clorisa, Skyler, Marie, Annber, Katlynn, Kalon, Dustin, Kailee, Kolton, Keira, Sophia and Kaden; two great-grandchildren whom he loved dearly. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Rick Milbourn (Fae Milbourn) who he always considered his first son; his sister-in-law, Barb (Kevin) McManus who he considered his first daughter; and brothers-in-law, Sonny Willis, Donald Milbourn (Judy), David Milbourn (Melody) and Jack Milbourn who he considered his brothers. There are numerous nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Tonya Davis; cousins Ruby (Gary) Bolish, Verna (Howard) Ayers, and Glenn Newbury, who has since passed on June 23, 2018. He grew up with them and they were always more like siblings to him. There are many more friends and family that he is survived by including his best friends Fred and Ginger Franklin, Manny Salas and Max Reynvaan.

Gene was a simple man who may not have had a big house or fancy car, but he had a heart full of love and enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. He loved his family, his dogs and cat, cold beer, hot days and his Dodge truck. His favorite place to be was at the ponds on his property on a hot day surrounded by his family with a cold beer in his hand. Since the pond on the Newbury property was his favorite place, a potluck celebration of life will be held there on July 4, 2018. Join us starting around 11 a.m. for an all-day celebration. Come any time, just bring some food, a fold up chair if you have one, and all your memories and stories of Gene. It will be at 80 Newbury Road, Humptulips, Wash. Just follow the blue balloons that will lead the way to the ponds.

Thank you all for all of your love and support and we hope to see you there to share and remember the great man that Gene Newbury was.

Please take a few moments to share your thoughts with the family by signing the on-line register at www.colemanmortuary.net.