Greg B. Smith, 77

Smitty, Pa, Officer, Papa, Bro, Dad. Greg Smith was all of these and so much more. Born on Aug. 10, 1948, in Oregon, to Gloria (Dottie) and Owen Smith, he was the oldest of four Smith kids, followed by Dale, Vicki and Scott. The gang was raised in the bustling town of Monument, Ore., with a population of 150 (generously). He spent his youth hunting, fishing, baling hay and changing miles and miles of irrigation pipes on the surrounding farms and ranches. Greg excelled in sports, especially baseball and basketball, and swiping beer from his mom’s tavern, both of which made him a pretty popular dude! He was admitted to the Letterman’s Club in his freshman year and was also involved in the school newspaper and student council. While still in high school, Greg met Marge Baker, who was visiting her uncle in Monument. They dated while Greg was in college and surprise! Found themselves in the ‘family way.’ Times and Catholicism being what they were, Greg and Marge married Shotgun Style on the training base at Fort Ord right before he was shipped off to Vietnam. He served in the Mekong Delta as a Spec. 4 ground pounder.’ While he was there, his oldest daughter, Marcia, was born back in Spokane. Greg managed to survive and earned a chest full of medals, including the Air Medal and Purple Heart. He was very proud of his service and always greeted his fellow Vietnam Vets with a heartfelt “Welcome Home.”

Shortly after Greg’s return, his daughter, Cindi, was born, sparking a need for employment. His father-in-law escorted him down to the fire department on Sherman Avenue. They were not hiring, so the men went upstairs to the police station, where 23-year-old Greg Smith immediately became 23-year-old Officer Greg Smith. He was hired on the spot, completed training and spent the first part of his career working the graveyard shift (where all the action was!). Greg completed many courses in investigation and police work and spent 31 years with the Coeur d’Alene Police Dept. He earned the rank of Sergeant, served with the Honor Guard, was an investigative detective and made many lifelong friends on the force. He had weekly coffee with The Boys (fellow retired officers) up until just weeks before his passing. Greg was honored and proud to serve the city of Coeur d’Alene and saw the police department grow from the old building on Sherman Avenue to its current location. He worked every Fourth of July for all 31 years!

In addition to working and being a family man, Greg played men’s softball, providing great fun, more great friends, wicked sunburns and some nasty hangovers. He was the pitcher for teams sponsored by the Sunset Bar and The Corner Club (now Paddy’s), and free beer was a very popular post-game activity! He truly loved the game, the camaraderie and the fun, but, unfortunately, a softball career-ending heart condition reared its ugly head, and he had to give it up. He found his way to golf for a while, which he also really enjoyed, but eventually the heart said “No” to that, too. Greg was always an avid sports fan and could rattle off stats and opinions with the best of ‘em. He cheered and cursed at the Seahawks, Mariners, Ducks, Zags, Vandals, Broncos and even the USC Trojans (as was required when his daughter, Cindi, attended SC). He cheered on the Vikings, Timberwolves, Hawks and always the Monument Savages! He also enjoyed going to the fights and watching a hockey game break out with the Spokane Flyers.

After the girls were raised, Marge and Greg divorced. A few years later, he met a very nice lady at the blood draw lab. He married Barb Jenison in 2002 and gained another daughter, 6-year-old Kacie. Greg, Barb and Kacie made their home with lots of love and furry friends. Goats, dogs, cats, hamsters, ferrets, bunnies, chickens and chinchillas helped make their lives busy and happy. He also embarked on a new career with White Tail Transportation. Combining driving and chatting up nice people in his van was a match made in heaven, and he didn’t even need to arrest anybody to do so! Greg adored being a dad to Kacie and the three of them made many happy memories. He also, at that time in his life, earned perhaps his favorite title of all: Papa. He would eventually have six grandchildren. Dallas, Devon, Carson, Morgan, Roya and Remy. Greg attended as many birthdays and graduations as he could for his grands in CA, but he only got to meet sweet Roya and Remy a few times. But being older and geographically highly accessible, Dallas and Devon had a papa who never missed a game, recital, school performance or concert. This included spring sports in North Idaho! Greg received one of the biggest compliments a person can receive from Kacie, Dallas and Devon: “He was just always there.” Greg and Barb divorced after 10 years of marriage, but he remained friendly with both of his ex-wives, which speaks to his general good nature and genial personality.

One of the most meaningful events in his life was being given the opportunity to join the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in 2017. The entire affair was extraordinary, and the long-overdue Hero’s Welcome Home brought tears to the eyes of a man who maybe cried five times in his adult life (not including sports-related tears ... an entirely separate category). It was an extremely touching and poignant experience.

In retirement, Greg found great joy and friendship with his Breakfast Buddies, who met once a week to talk sports, cars, sports cars and who was in the hospital for what, as is unavoidable when you reach a certain age. He also loved snowbirding in Arizona, Hudson’s Hamburgers with the grandkids, running into damn near everyone he ever knew at Fred Meyer, watching old westerns, visiting family and friends at reunions in Monument and Poulsbo and giving a hard time to the long-suffering staff at The Caddy Shack and Georgie’s.

The family would like to thank Greg’s many excellent care providers at Kootenai Health and Schneidmiller Hospice House. He died peacefully of multi-organ failure at the age of 77 on Dec. 27, 2025. Greg Smith was predeceased by his parents, Dottie and Owen Smith, and his brother, Scott Smith. He is survived by his brother, Dale Smith, sister Vicki Nehring, daughters Marcia (Duke) Dixon, Cindi (Brian) Smith, and Kacie (Miad) Emadi, grandchildren Dallas and Devon Dixon, Carson and Morgan Smith, Roya and Remy Emadi, his beautiful great-grandson. Grayson Hayes Huey, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, ex-wives and wonderful friends.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, June 7 at 11 a.m. at English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d'Alene, followed by a reception at Paddy’s (the first round is on Greg!). His ashes will be spread in the John Day River and Monument Valley, per his wishes. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Inland Northwest Honor Flight, 608 W. Second Ave. Suite 309, Spokane, WA 99201.

Greg wanted his obituary to be humorous. I have failed miserably, so let me leave you with this: What do you get the man who has everything? Penicillin! We love and miss you, Greg (dad)! Thanks for always being there. Please view and sign Greg's online guestbook at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.

    Smith