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Cecil Vernon Schertz, 97

“I have gone over the rainbow bridge to take care of all the little kitties and dogs that went before me”. — Cecil V. Schertz

Cecil Vernon Schertz born April 6, 1919, in Marquette, Neb., moved to California in 1924, settling in Bakersfield where he attended Edison Grammar School and Kern Union High School (now BHS).

In 1938, Cecil married Mary Hudson and raised two beautiful identical twin girls. Cecil worked as a Bakersfield city fireman and police motor cop officer and that is where he found his love for Harleys and Indian motorcycles.

In the ’50s, Cecil started making custom surfboards and skateboards selling to hundreds of people in the U.S. and around the world under the trademark name “Native.”

Cecil and Mary moved to Cambria in the ’70s and owned what is now “The Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill.”

While on vacation in 1977, they discovered and moved to beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Cecil continued his creative talents and began making and teaching stained glass art.

After 43 years of marriage, Mary passed away.

In 1981, Cecil married Audrey Straub. They were actively involved in the community and loved dancing with the Cowboy Balladeers. In most recent years, Cecil was known for his ribbon-winning custom designed spurs jewelry and crafts under the name of Cowboy Tate.

Cecil loved to travel and visit friends and family. He was known to frequent the Outlaw bar in Orem, Utah, where he would tell jokes and was a great pool shark, a true gentleman and loved the ladies. His pool cue will be retired, but his memory will live forever. He also loved his Sundays in Bakersfield, out at the horses with his daughters, then onto Ethel’s for more dancing!

Cecil also known as Cowboy Tate was a Master Craftsman, Father of Champions, attended his 75th High School Reunion, an aspiring comedian and story teller, the opening act for the St. Vincent de Paul fundraiser these past five years, proud to be a Marine and recognized as one of the oldest living World War II veterans in Kootenai County.

People that met Cecil loved him, enjoyed his wit and charm. He shared his creations with those he met and hand out his custom $ million dollar bills!

Cecil loved life and lived every moment of his 97+ years to its fullest!

Cecil is survived by his wife, Audrey; daughters Christie (Dennie) Meinke and Mary West (Lee Caywood); grandchildren Bryan Schertz, Dan Morck and Deborah Knick Schnepf; great- and great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Bell Tower Funeral Home, 3398 E. Jenalan Ave., Post Falls, Idaho. Please share your thoughts and memories of Cecil in his online memorial at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.