Charles Collins Smith, 64
Charles Collins Smith, 64, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2009, at his home in Lakeside, after a courageous nine-year battle with cancer. He was born on Oct. 12, 1944, in Burbank, Calif., to James Scobee and Charleen (Collins' Smith.
At the age of 5, Charles moved with his family to Lancaster, Calif., where he began his education. In 1958 the family moved to Escalon, and Charles attended and then graduated from Ripon High School in 1962. He continued his education at Cal-Poly for three years before starting his own orchard, growing almonds.
Charles moved to the Hamilton area in 1968 where he worked as a ranch hand until 1970, when he moved to Missoula to work in construction.
On June 18, 1971, Charles married Marci Dame in Missoula. They started Charles C. Smith Construction in 1974, which they operated as a family business. From 1979 until 1989, Charles continued to grow the excavation business in the Stevensville area.
In 1989, Charles moved his business to Lakeside when he was hired as a subcontractor on the Lakeside-Somers Sewer Main Project.
Upon graduation in 1993, his son Tanner moved to Lakeside and became his partner in the business.
Charles served as a Stevensville School board member for nine years, as well as chairman of the board. In addition, he served on the ETNA Volunteer Fire Department. Charles was also a Master Mason with the Stevensville Masonic Lodge No. 28.
He enjoyed boating, camping, motorcycles, friends and especially being a proud father and grandfather.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, James Scobee Smith Jr.; and a grandson, Jakob.
He is survived by his son, Tanner Smith, and Heather, of Kalispell; a stepson, Bruce Hofmann, and Laurie, of Richmond, Va.; and a stepdaughter, Tracy Long, and Brad, of Missoula; eight grandchildren, Bridger, Caeden and Addison Smith, Shealyn and Sela Hofmann, and Tiffany, Grant and Morgan Long; one sister, Judy Nickerson, of Mantica, Calif.; and a very special friend, Julene Hartman, of Kalispell.
Memorial services for Charles will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 20, in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Glenn Burfeind of the First Presbyterian Church officiating.
The family suggests memorial gifts and donations be made to the Charles C. Smith Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 921, Lakeside, MT 59922, to assist the family with the cost of Charles' extensive medical treatments.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Charles' family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Charles' guestbook.