George Allen Stoddard, 79

George Allen Stoddard passed away in Coeur d'Alene on Feb. 3, 2013, at the age of 79. He was born the last of six children to Clarence Allen and Ida Lily Stoddard on Aug. 21,1933, in Kingston, Mo.

He left home at age 15 with one suitcase looking for work. After beginning a family and moving to Spokane he worked in construction for a few years and then turned around and bought the business. He enjoyed building and added on to their home in Spokane. He built two homes on lake property in North Idaho and remodeled a couple of other places. He enjoyed driving in stock car races, which became more than just a hobby for him and he has a wall full of shelves to display the many trophies he brought home. After retiring from driving, he became a flagman for some years.

As the construction business became more successful he purchased a restaurant in the North Spokane area and also built an auto body shop. After building his last home in Athol, he owned and operated The Blue Lagoon Bar in Cataldo for seven years. When he retired and sold that business he bought and remodeled his retirement home in Pinehurst.

He and his wife Janice spent some summers as Park Hosts for Bumblee Bee campground, Camp Lutherhaven and Kit Price. He was well liked by many and will especially be missed by his wife, Janice of Pinehurst; his eleven children, Janet, Georgette, Rodney, Paul, Jason, Timothy, Peggy, Becky, Casey, Robert and Stephanie; 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Charles A. Stoddard of North Platte, Neb.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, at Camp Lutherhaven, 3258 W. Lutherhaven Road, Coeur d’Alene. For directions call Nick at 667-3459 ext. 118. Please visit George’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.