Dewayne Gass, lifelong Colfax resident, passed away May 10, 2026 at the Hospice House in Spokane following a stroke. He was 86. Graveside Services will be Thursday, May 21st at 10:00 AM in the Colfax Cemetery. Viewing for Dewayne will be on Wednesday from 9 to 5 at the Corbeill Funeral Home.

Dewayne was born June 12, 1939 in Colfax to Wayne and Vera Waymire Gass. He played football, boxing and track during his school years. Dewayne graduated from Colfax High School in 1957. Dewayne enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1957-1962 primarily as a tank mechanic and also as a helicopter mechanic.

Following his honorable discharge from the Army he returned home to Colfax and began attending class at a Spokane Technical School where he further honed his skills as a mechanic. He worked at Brown – Holter Chevrolet in Colfax as a mechanic. He met Elza Rodden while she was working as a waitress and car hop at the A & W Drive-In and after a short courtship they married on June 10, 1966. He became a father to her young daughter Tracy and they were later blessed by the births of three additional daughters; Dianna, Tammy and Mindy. DeWayne was surrounded by the love of his girls and enjoyed a lifetime of happiness with all of them. In 1966 he began a career as a UPS driver that lasted for 33 years until he retired. He delivered his packages with diligence and care and became a familiar face to many of his customers. He loved to read history books and to especially study the Lewis-Clark Expedition. Whenever the family travelled by car, they rarely passed a roadside historical marker without stopping to see what it was all about. Dewayne enjoyed leather making and made many gun holsters, chaps, moccasins, and other items over the years. He and Elza both liked to doodle, draw and paint with many of their artworks still around their home.

DeWayne and Elza were members of the Palouse Hills Muzzleloaders, attending black powder rendezvous during the summer, as well as members of Cowboy Action groups where each shared their love of cowboy artisan shooting. They loved traveling around the region to attend different functions with these groups. They also were members of the Eagles Lodge in Colfax. He was a longtime member of the NRA and the NMLRA as well as the single action shooting society. Single Action Shooting Society (SASS)

DeWayne is survived by his four daughters; Tracy Corneil, Spokane, Dianna Faye (Steve) Proctor, also of Spokane, Tammy Irene (Chris) Roberts of Dusty and Mindy Jo (Michael) Muglia, Spokane; by 17 grandchildren of whom he was so proud; 3 great-grandchildren; by 2 great-great-granddaughters with 2 great-great-grandsons on the way. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elza, in 2025, by his brother Fred, and by his parents.

Memorial gifts to St. Jude -or- Arbor Day Foundation -or- St. Joseph Indian School P.O. Box 326, Chamberlain, SD 57326 www.stjo.org.