George F. Smith, 84

George Smith, age 84, of Hayden, Idaho, went to Heaven peacefully on April 16, 2026. He was born Dec. 31, 1941, to Troy and Gertrude Smith. He grew up in the Sacramento, Calif., area and attended various schools, later obtaining his GED degree while in the military.

George married Gayle Sundrud on April 21, 1962, in the Fosston Baptist Church in Fosston, Minn.

George served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, being stationed in Korea and then at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. It was while being stationed there that he met Gayle. 

Upon completion of his military service, he and Gayle moved to Los Banos, Calif., then to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and lastly to Hayden, Idaho.

George and Gayle enjoyed wintering in the sunshine in Mesa, Ariz., for the past 22 years.

George attended the Canvas Church in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Mesa, Ariz.

George is survived by his wife, Gayle, of Hayden, Idaho; son Tony Smith (Sherry) of Fife, Wash.; daughter Tanya Yost (Steve) of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; brothers Troy Smith (Angela) of Auburn, Wash.; Elmer residing in Thailand; and Leonard of Olympia, Wash.; sisters Alice Ynchausti of Nampa, Idaho, and Mary Campbell (Dave) of Edmonds, Wash.; sister-in-law Karen Stone (Culver) of Goodyear, Ariz.; grandchildren Zachary Yost (Katey) and Seth Yost; great grandchild Navy Yost.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Yates Funeral Home — Hayden Chapel, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden, ID 83835. A viewing will be from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service with Military Honors to follow at the graveside located at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens, 7315 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815.

Please visit George’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.