Raymond “Earl” Gleason (89) of St. Maries earned his wings November 1, 2025, at Valley Vista Care Center with his family gathered around him.  Earl was born in Coeur d’ Alene, ID to Raymond and Alice (Goss) Gleason on September 17, 1936.  Earl went on to graduate from St. Maries High School in 1954.  He then went to college at North Idaho Junior College and studied Auto Mechanics and from there he entered the University of Idaho in Moscow for Forestry.

In 1956 he joined the Armed Forces, U.S. of America and was honorably discharged July of 1963.  Earl, while playing drums in a band at the Mica Grange, saw a pretty girl he wanted to meet, but that didn’t happen just yet.  A few days later he ran into her at a drive in theater.  Earl married Darlene Smalley in December 1958 and made their home on the Harrison Flats and started their family.  During this time Earl worked for the U.S. Forest Service until his retirement in 1989 as a GS9.  He then went on to become a realtor and worked for St. Maries Realty from 1990 to 1999.

Earl’s passions were his family, music, and cars.  He played in the band Maverik’s with Pat and Dean Bates and played at several outlets in our area.  He also loved Blue Grass.  He and Darlene would drive to Libby, MT to jam with the many friends they met and hosted a few jams here at the Benewah County Fairgrounds.  During his lifetime he counted a total of 92 cars that he owned. 

Earl is survived by his wife Darlene; daughters Debbie and Danny Barden, Brenda and Jim Fosdick, and Donna and David Nitcy; grandchildren Derek, Jeremy (Dani), Amy (Anton), Cameron (Linds), Raymond, and Shalina; great grandchildren Jett, Gracie, Jaelyn, Vanner, Kylee, Aubree, Mikayla, Raymond, Cheyanna, and Jonathan; numerous nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, grandson Matthew Hossfeld, 2 great grandchildren Matthew Hossfeld and Kaden Hossfeld. 

Military Honors will be presented on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 3:00 pm at the Veteran’s Memorial at Woodlawn Cemetery.