Harold Dearborn Smart, 89

Harold Dearborn Smart went to be with his Lord on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. His beloved wife, Jean, was by his side holding his hand.

Harold was born Dec. 18, 1926, in Detroit, Mich., to Harold and Margaret Smart. He grew up in Detroit with his brother, Don and sister Margaret. He loved spending time at the family lake cottage where he learned to sail, a lifelong passion.

He graduated from Wayne State University, where he played quarterback, and later earned a master’s degree in fine arts from the Cranbrook Academy of Art. He enlisted in the Navy, became a signalman and was stationed in the main signal tower in Pearl Harbor at the end of World War II.

Harold met his future wife, Winifred Jean Milne, from Edmonton, Alberta, when she came to Detroit on a nursing fellowship. They were married on July 4, 1952. He always claimed that on the day America celebrated its independence he lost his. They were happily married for 64 years. They had three sons, Graeme (Sarah), Cameron (Ellen) and David (Julie).

Harold taught art for 40 years at the prestigious Brookside School Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. He brought out the creativity in his elementary students and was widely praised for writing, directing and producing renowned musical Christmas pageants. He also became the Director of Arts for Cranbrook Schools.

From 1954 to 1975 Harold, Jean and their boys spent their summers in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana, where he was instrumental in the development of — and eventually became director of — Lost Trail Wilderness Adventures. Many boys and girls from all over the country were introduced to rock-climbing, horsemanship, river-running and other backcountry survival skills.

After retiring from Cranbrook Schools, Harold and Jean moved to Coeur d’Alene, where Harold served on the Coeur d’Alene Symphony Board, as well as the Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission. They have served the Lord in many fellowship capacities at Grace Avenue Assembly in Spokane.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Margaret; and his brother, Don. He is survived by his sister, Margaret; his wife, Jean; his three sons, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Harold is also survived by many nieces and nephews who were dear to his heart.

A celebration of Harold’s life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. Please visit Harold’s memorial and sign the online guest book at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of North Idaho.