Obituary of Virgil "Jake" Badgett

Virgil R. “Jake” Badgett (90) longtime St. Maries resident, died April 30, 2015 at Valley Vista Care Center. He was born June 14, 1924 to Ralph and Minnie (Scott) Badgett in Farmington, WA. Jake grew up in Emida, ID and graduated from St. Maries High School with the class of 1942. Following graduation, Jake went to work in the woods. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1945. Jake served in the Philippines and in with the Occupation Forces of Japan. He was discharged in 1946 and returned to St. Maries to work in the woods. Since he was one of the last WWII workers to return home, jobs were unavailable so he moved to Spokane, WA to work for Greyhound Lines. Jake used his V.A. benefits to learn how to fly and obtained his pilot’s license of which he was very proud of. In 1950, Jake returned to St. Maries and went to work for Jude Drent and helped in the construction of the dike in Bonners Ferry, ID. Following that, Jake moved to Drummond, MT and worked in the Drummond mines. Jake married Rosalie Hamlin on June 14, 1952 in Moscow, ID. They made their home in Drummond for one year before moving back to Emida, ID. Jake and his family moved into St. Maries in 1954 and he went to work for Jess Whitehead for several years operating equipment for Whitehead Logging. After several years, Jake decided to run his own business. He performed contract work for several area logging contractors operating a log loader, dozer, and ran his own logging truck. Jake retired in 1989. Following his brief retirement, Jake went to work for Pugh Brothers as a mechanic. He retired a second time at age 80 from there in 2004. Jake enjoyed attending and watching all of his children’s, grandchildren’s, and great grandchildren’s activities. He wanted to be involved in everything his family was doing. Jake and Rosalie enjoyed traveling to New Mexico and Arizona in the winters. Jake was a loving and caring person and supported many local charities with his resources. Any time there was a fund raiser for any type of need in the community, he and Rosalie were there to support it. Jake is survived by his wife of 62 years, Rosalie at the family home. His sons and daughters-in-law Kelvin and Karen Badgett, Barry and Shannon Badgett, Sam and Dianna Badgett, and Son Dale “Bubba” Badgett all of St. Maries and his daughter and son-in-law Carolyn and Jerry Wicks of St. Maries. Also surviving are his sister Velma Jeanes of Spokane, WA, 7 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by daughter Bernadine Badgett and brother Vernon Badgett. A celebration of Jake’s life will be Friday, May 8, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Maries Eagles Lodge. A gathering of family and friends will follow services at the Lodge. The family suggests memorials to either Shriners Hospital for Children (Spokane Unit) P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA. or Hospice of Benewah Co. 307 Jefferson St., St. Maries, ID 83861. Visit his online memorial and sign his guest book at www.hodgefuneralhome.com