Earl Leroy Smith, 94, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, in Post Falls.

Earl was born in Chicago, Ill., in May 1917. His family moved to Little Fork, Minn., where he grew up. As a young man, he moved to Alaska and worked in the mining and logging industry until 1941 when he joined the U.S. Army Air Corp. He was stationed in Jackson, Miss., as a flight engineer on B-25 Mitchell bombers. There he met his wife, Grace Harper and they were married in September 1944. After the war, they moved to Memphis, Tenn., where Earl earned his certifications as an aircraft mechanic. He worked for Chicago and Southern Airlines until its merger with Delta Airlines in 1954.

With their two daughters, Grace and Earl moved to Grapevine, Texas, where Earl continued to work for Delta airlines until his retirement in 1982. They then moved to Athens, Texas, where they lived on a small farm until 2004 when they moved to Coeur d’Alene to be near family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Smith, and his mother, Christina Hansen Smith of Little Fork, Minn.; his father, Carl Smith of Twin Lakes; his brothers, Kenny Smith of Rathdrum and Clyde Smith of Whitefish, Mont.; and his sisters, Dorothy Swope of Spokane and Erma Baeth of Libby, Mont.

He is survived by his sister, Lucy Roth and his daughter and son-in-law, Judith and Carl George of Coeur d’Alene; and his daughter, Janice Smith of Evergreen, Colo.

The family wishes to thank the staff and nurses at the Bridge at Post Falls and Hospice of North Idaho for their loving and compassionate care. Their unfailing support and kindness were most appreciated.

A private family celebration will be held in the home of Judith and Carl George. Please sign his online guest book at Lakeview Funeral Home at www.lakeviewfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Earl’s favorite charities Disabled American Veterans, Salvation Army or Hospice of North Idaho.