Carl Z. Smith, 88

Beloved father and grandfather, Carl Z. Smith, passed away peacefully at 8 a.m. on Aug. 10, 2013, at Boundary Community Hospital.

There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 at Grandview.

He was preceded in death by his wife Lois in February 2008.

The two of them moved to Sandpoint in 2002 and resided at the Bridge assisted living facility until the fall of 2005 when his wife moved to the Extended Care in Boundary County and he resided at the Restorium. He visited his wife every day on his walker, crossing the street to see her. He enjoyed his friends at the Restorium and living there until the administration forced him out in May of this year.

They would like to thank Kathy Stallcup and her staff when she was at the Restorium. A special thanks also to the amazing dedication of Dr. Geyman/staff, Dr. Botkin/staff, Dr. Moore/staff, and Jan K. and her staff.

He lived a great life, beginning at his birth in St. Joseph, Mo., on Jan. 4, 1925. He grew up on a farm where he learned to read music and play the guitar at a very young age. After high school and he attended a technical school in El Paso, Texas, after enlisting in the Army in 1943 and served as a medic/surgical tech.

He received a bronze star when his ship sank in the South Pacific when he saved lives, which he continued to do throughout his military assignment until 1946.

As a musician/singer, he traveled throughout the mid-west and southwest while working full time jobs as dispatcher for fire departments. He retired from Colorado Springs, Colo., and Farmington, N.M. fire departments.

He was always an active member of his church and sang solo specials for his congregation and the community.

He loved outdoor fun such as boating, fishing and hiking. He tried to include his grandson in as many of these activities as possible. When his grandson was in high school in Salt Lake City, he and Lois attended as many of his basketball baseball games as possible.

He is missed dearly and is survived by his stepson Foster Mayo, Trish Mayo of Bonners Ferry; his loving grandson, Kevin Mayo and wife LJ of Spokane, Wash.; two great-granddaughters, C.J. of Pullman, Wash., who wanted him to live long enough to see her attend medical school and Brittany of Melbourne, Australia, who is working on her master’s degree.

His great-granddaughters say their hearts are broken and will always remember his amazing kindness and love shown to them by this gentle soul.

Carl’s pastor saw him a few hours before he left this earth and stated to him, “I am ready to go home”.

Rest in peace sweet dad/granddad. 2 Corinthians, 5.