James M. 'Tooie' Rhett III, 70

James M. "Tooie" Rhett III, 70, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, passed away on Aug. 1, 2014, at Hospice House.

Tooie was born Dec. 1, 1943, in Houston, Texas, to Jim and Penelope Rhett. He grew up in Texas and moved to Utah his senior year of high school. In 1969, Tooie married Jean Noon at Miramar Naval Base in San Diego, Calif. He served in the Navy for five years, in the states and overseas; he was an E-5 Petty Officer serving in aviation electronics.

Tooie was a self-employed building contractor (Rhett's Remodeling) and also worked on the Alaskan pipeline for three years, which he truly enjoyed.

Tooie's vacations before his health failed were fishing in the many lakes and streams that surrounded him, and hunting in the Coeur d'Alene area mountains. He loved socializing and drinking schooners with his best buddies on his favorite stool at the Ground Round, aka 'The Office.'

Survivors include Tooie's son Tracy Smith (Donna) of Escondido, Calif., son Danny Smith of San Diego, Calif., daughter Patty Smith of San Diego, Calif., sister Penny (Oiej) of Fla., eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, two nephews, and his sunshine, Tami Mills.

Please join us in a celebration of Tooie's life at 3 p.m., Monday, Aug. 11, at Nosworthy's. Donations in memory of James Rhett may be made to Hospice House of North Idaho. Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Tooie's online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.