Gene Leonard Coté, age 83, of Kennewick, Washington, passed away on November 28, 2023. He was born on December 17, 1939, in Seattle to his parents Leonard and Florence (Pomeroy) Coté. He married Marilyn Pavlevsky at Assumption Catholic Church in Seattle on November 5, 1966.

Gene was a proud graduate of Bishop Blanchet High School’s first graduating class in 1958. He served in the Coast Guard Reserves and then received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Seattle University in 1966. He was an active member of the Parish of the Holy Spirit in Kennewick and the Knights of Columbus.

Gene worked in Management at JC Penney for many years. After retiring from Penney’s, he was a school bus driver school for the Kennewick School District. He enjoyed golfing, walking with his Knights of Columbus friends, and selling ice cream at the Knights of Columbus booth at the Benton Franklin County Fair and at the Tri-City Water Follies. Gene and Marilyn are members of several wine clubs and subscribed to the Seattle 5th Avenue Musical Theatre for many years. One of Gene and Marilyn’s favorite activities included vacations with their family and friends at many Wordmark resorts.

Gene is survived by his wife Marilyn; daughter Stacie (Hunt) Caley; son Tim Coté; granddaughters Madison and Emily Caley; brother Gary Coté; sisters Janet (David) Fairbank and Merry Kay Coté Clayton and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Memorial Mass will be planned.