Arlis Cecil "Arley" Kilgore

Arlis “Arley’ Cecil Kilgore was born on January 13, 1940, in Harrison, Arkansas. He died at home in Nampa, Idaho on August 23, 2023, at age 83. His family moved by train to Caldwell, Idaho in his early teens. He was survived by daughter Karrie Coleman and son Bruce Kilgore of Nampa; 4 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren and 1great great grandchild; an Uncle Argus Villines and a nephew Kevin Blackburn.  He was preceded in death by sister Nadine Wood and parents Cecil Kilgore and Dorothy Cowan. There will be a celebration of life for friends and family.
As a teenager in Caldwell Arlis played music with Revere Dick's band before they became Paul Revere and the Raiders. He hung out at Quick Curb and Reed & Bell drive inns; the bowling alley and Nampa Roller Drome where he met his wife to be. He graduated from Caldwell High School in 1959 and married Shirley Ryals on December 12, 1960. Music was his life throughout his teen years and adulthood, playing gigs around the valley whenever possible. 
Arlis's first job was at Kit manufacturing in Caldwell. Then in 1961 he was hired by the Bureau of Public Roads and moved to Wyoming where he learned surveying. His daughter was born there. From there they moved to Stanley, Idaho where he surveyed the road from Stanley to Lowman. He moved back to Caldwell for a short time and then to Lynnwood, Washington where he worked for Boeing. He moved to Kirkland, Washington and then his son was born. Again, he was surveying and ended up in Redmond, WA. where they bought a home. He lived there for 5 years. He enjoyed exploring mountains and beaches in the area; clam digging; Chuckanut Drive for their oysters and the Seattle Warf for fresh Alaskan King crab & shrimp. They returned to the Treasure Valley where sadly the marriage ended. Later he married Rosalyn Swift. They were married multiple years and that also ended. Arlis built his own multiple homes in the valley.  He had a cabin and acreage in the hills above Banks where he spent every weekend possible. 
Arlis also had experience in logging and heavy equipment operator.
Brothers and sisters in law and nieces and nephews meant a lot to him. 
He enjoyed hunting; fishing exploring on his Honda's and four wheelers; camping cutting firewood.  He was a storyteller which came out in his song writing. 
For the last multiple years, he enjoyed his granddaughter’s coffee shop acting as security in the early mornings and loved the free coffee! There is so much more to talk about his life. Arlis was quite a character. He loved family and we love him. We will all miss him deeply. Our lives with him were one big adventure and our world won't be the same without him.

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