Perry Lynn Goicoechea was born November 23, 1948, in St. Maries, Idaho, to Ben and Joyce Goicoechea. He passed away on August 28, 2026 surrounded by his loving family.

Even Perry’s arrival into the world came with a story. Ben and Joyce were living at Lotus, and the snow was especially deep that winter. When it was time for Joyce to get to the hospital, Ben brought her into St. Maries on his tractor, which had a shelter behind it to protect her from the winter weather. Once in town, Ben’s friend Danny Holstein allowed them to stay in an upstairs apartment above the bar while they awaited Perry’s arrival.

A couple of years later, the family moved from Lotus to Johns Creek before eventually settling at their permanent home on Charlie Creek in Emida.

Perry learned responsibility and hard work at a young age. His father died suddenly of a heart attack while doing something he loved, hunting. Perry was among those who found him on that cold, snowy night, an experience that changed the course of his young life. He left school to go to work to help support his mother and younger siblings. His first job was driving a logging truck for Alan Quincy, beginning what would become a lifelong career on the road.

In the summer of 1969, Perry married the love of his life, Linette Bond. Together, Perry and Linette shared 57 wonderful years, building a life and family while following Perry’s work wherever the road took them.

Perry later drove logging truck for Bud McCall, and in 1974 he went to work for Larry Nelson. In 1979, he purchased his first truck, beginning 47 years as a truck owner. Over the decades, Perry hauled logs in Alaska, Oregon, Montana, Washington, Idaho, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. He also drove long haul throughout the Pacific Northwest and into California.

In 2007, after their years in Alaska and Central Idaho, Perry and Linette retired to St. Maries. St. Maries had always been home, but “retirement” never quite took with Perry. To call him a workaholic would be a complete understatement. He was one of the hardest-working people you could ever meet, and work wasn’t simply something Perry did, it became part of the legacy he created and a defining part of his life. He continued working right up until illness finally forced him to retire.

Perry enjoyed hunting in his younger years. When his grandchildren came along, hunting took on a new meaning as he enjoyed teaching them and taking them hunting. He loved the woods and was perhaps happiest riding a four-wheeler or his side-by-side.

He also enjoyed traveling with Linette and especially loved taking cruises. Of the many places their travels took them, cruising through the Panama Canal remained one of his favorites. If he wasn’t working, cruising, or spending time in the woods, you could find him enjoying a good Western.

Perry was a longtime member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, proudly belonging for more than 50 years. During his years in Alaska, he also became a member of the Elks and Moose Lodges.

Perry was simply one of those guys who was exactly who he appeared to be, what you saw was what you got. He worked hard, loved his family, enjoyed the outdoors and spent a lifetime building something he could be proud of. From a young man who left school to help support his family to a truck owner who spent nearly five decades making his living on the road, Perry created a legacy through determination, grit and an unmatched work ethic.

Perry is survived by his wife of 57 years, Linette, at their home in St. Maries; daughters Shannon (Jim) Silverthorn of Thorne Bay, Alaska, and Shelley (Corey) DuRette of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; son Shane (Alissa) Goicoechea of St. Maries; grandchildren Brandi, Colby, Thomas, Kylee, Dakotah, Spencer and Abbie; great-grandchildren Brookelynn, Camie, Lakelynn and Ellie, with another great-grandchild on the way; brother Wade Goicoechea; as well as several nieces and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Joyce Goicoechea.

A Celebration of Perry’s Life will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in St. Maries.