Charles Douglas Smart

Charles Douglas Smart passed away Monday, January 13, 2020, after a short illness, in Meridian, Idaho, at the age of 82. 

Charles is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Josette Smart, Meridian, and their three children and spouses: Lillian and Christopher Talley, Meridian, ID; Dwain Smart, Post Falls, ID; and Noelle and Steve Pendleton, Caldwell, ID. Charles has eight grandchildren: Jared and Kevin Talley; Tara, Jessica, Ryan and Emma Smart; and Kyle Sandy and Brittney Wilkins. He also is survived by his last remaining sibling, Marjorie Gravett, Boise, ID. He is preceded in death by his siblings: Kenneth Smart, Barbara Keith, Lois Ugalde, Doris Carter, Lillian Lenz, Robert Smart, Wesley Smart, and a grandson, Mathew Jason Talley.

Charles was born March 16, 1937 in Melba, Idaho, to William and Myrtle Smart. He later attended Nampa High School until he joined the U.S. Army in his senior year.

He served the majority of his army years in France, where he met Josette Noguerros, his sweetheart and future wife.  Charles re-enlisted an extra year in the Army so that he and Josette could marry in France on April 23, 1958. Their first daughter, Lillian, was born in Toul, France, just before Charles was shipped back to the States.

He would meet up with his bride and daughter later in New York, at which time they moved to Nampa, Idaho, to begin life’s journey together. In the years ahead, the couple also would welcome two more children into their lives, a son, Dwain, and a daughter, Noelle.

Charles held a variety of jobs until joining the Nampa Post Office in 1962, where he worked 30 years as a letter carrier. He was extremely proud of his postal career and kept close friendships with some of his coworkers long after retirement.

While Charles was still employed at the post office, he additionally began pursuing his lifelong dream of owning a farm to raise cattle. He started out by purchasing ten acres and constructing his own home near Sand Hollow, Idaho.  He was very proud of building that house with his own two hands, also an early dream of his.

Later, he and Josie moved to a 40-acre farm in the same area after retiring. Charles typically owned around forty head of Red Angus and raised his own alfalfa for feed. He enjoyed his second career as a farmer and cattle rancher for 28 years. 

There wasn’t much Charles couldn’t do once he set his mind to it. When building his first house, he used but a few simple hand tools and only asked for help with tasks that required more than one set of hands. Charles also knew his way around under the hood of a car. In addition to repairing his own vehicles, he often volunteered to work on cars owned by his extended family and friends. There wasn’t a vehicle he couldn’t fix—and that was before he decided to advance his mechanics knowledge by officially earning an Auto Repair Certificate using the G.I. Bill.

Education was a priority for Charles. He was never happy about not having finished his last year of high school due to unfortunate life circumstances. It made him passionate about ensuring that his kids got a better education than he did. He continually encouraged them to pursue higher learning and always supported their plans. 

Charles also instilled in his children his great love for the Idaho outdoors. Anyone who knew Charles knows he was an avid outdoorsman. He particularly loved the Owyhee Mountains and areas near Grangeville, Idaho, where he went elk or moose hunting every fall. He also loved to fish. There is a great likelihood that, today in Heaven, he is planning a fishing trip with Leighton, one of his favorite brothers-in-law.

Charles loved to be surrounded by his pets, too. He always had a farm dog following him across the fields or lying at his feet near his favorite chair. In his later years, Charles owned a troupe of loyal farm cats which he considered his babies. His many pets from years gone by are no doubt surrounding him now, vying for his attention, and he is on Cloud 9.

Our family would also like to thank the amazing caregivers at Aspen Transitional Care in Meridian, Creekside Skilled Nursing in Meridian, and Aspen Hospice.  The family was comforted knowing that Charles was in their kind-hearted and skilled hands, and we especially loved that he was given the nickname, Prince Charles, by the nurses at Creekside.  We are forever grateful for their compassion and kindness.    

A short graveside military funeral is scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 10100 N Horseshoe Bend Road, Boise, Idaho, where his service to his country will be honored.  Chaplin Tom Robinson will officiate.  Per the request of the Veterans Cemetery, the service will begin promptly at 2:00 pm.  Please plan to arrive 20 minutes early for the processional staging.  

Directly following the graveside service will be a celebration of Charles’ life held at Spring Hills Suites, 6325 North Cloverdale, Boise, Idaho, where family and Charles’ close friends are encouraged to gather to enjoy food and share their fond memories.

Condolences can be sent to Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Avenue South, Nampa.  https://www.nampafuneralhome.com/

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org.

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