Gregory M. Yuncevich, 61

Greg Yuncevich, 61, of Grangeville, Idaho, passed away at home after an 8 month battle with a brain tumor on Thursday January 31, 2008.

He was born in Bisbee, Arizona on August 24, 1946 to Dorothy and Sam Yuncevich. He attended Bisbee High School and was a proud graduate of 1964. He still maintains close friendships with his classmates.

He studied mining engineering at University of Arizona, Tucson and at Gunnison, Colorado but decided in 1967 to join the Navy. He completed two tours of duty to Vietnam and traveled widely during his 6 years in the Navy. In 1977 he completed a BS degree in Wildlife Management at Colorado State University at Fort Collins. He returned to Bisbee, where he worked for SEAGO and took care of the family ranch. In 1979, he began working for the Bureau of Land Management in Susanville, California as a wildlife biologist. He also met his wife, Sydney there. They were married on November 24, 1984. He spent 11 years there enjoying hunting, fishing and boating with his friends and family. In 1990, his son Steve was born and they moved to Hereford, Arizona where he assumed duties as the Field Manger for the San Pedro National Conservation Area. This was near where he was raised and enabled him to spend time with his mother, brother and other family members. In 1995, he moved to Grangeville, Idaho to become Field Manager for the Cottonwood Field Office BLM. He enjoyed the challenges of managing the demands of multiple use resources until his retirement in January of 2007. He especially enjoyed his days on the river either for work or for play and the opportunity to hunt whether it be for elk or morels.

Family was always his focus and he enjoyed attending his son’s sporting and school events.

He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Sydney, and 17 year-old son, Steve; mother, Dorothy; brother, Ron and his wife, Eleanor all of Bisbee, as well as numerous extended family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Sam in 1983.

The family expresses their gratitude to all the caring, compassionate friends, neighbors, doctors and medical staff especially those from Syringa Hospice and St. Mary’s Physical Therapy who encouraged and made him comfortable throughout his illness. Greg left behind many friends and family who cherished his wit and humor.
A memorial service celebrating Greg’s life will be held on Friday, February 8, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., at Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

The family suggests that donations be made to Syringa Hospice or to a charity of choice.

Send condolences to the family at www.blackmerfuneralhome.com.