Jake Stryder Smith, 29
A beloved son, brother and uncle. Gone from us too soon on Dec. 17, 2019, at 29 years old.
Jake was a true Idaho Native.
Born to Jeff and Rae Smith in Coeur d’Alene, Jake spent his childhood running around the woods, building forts and climbing trees with his siblings. He also enjoyed dirt biking, snowboarding and skateboarding; always finding new ways to get hurt.
Jake’s teenage years took him down a path of adversity and he battled drug addiction. But he fought all odds and came out of his teenage years ready to make something of himself. Jake was never ashamed of his past, talking openly about his struggles. It was overcoming those struggles which brought him closer to God and rededicated himself to the Lord.
Jake found his calling.
Jake went on to find work in the tree service industry. He became an arborist. He loved operating a chainsaw and cutting trees while up in the sky, always welcoming a bigger challenge. Jake continued to push forward with his career and graduated from Avista Lineman school in 2017. He spent these last few years as a lineman and groundman.
Jake’s passion in tree work never left him, so he started his own LLC, Smith’s Tree Service. He performed his passion part time, with hopes of one day making it a full-time career.
Jake had a servant’s heart.
He took every opportunity to fix things himself or build things when they needed to be built, but it was usually for the betterment of his loved ones. His countless hours of work to help others came with no financial gain, but with enjoyment of making others happy. Jake made it a personal mission to update things around his parent’s house because he wanted to see his mother happy and make his father proud.
Jake will always be remembered as a great uncle. He leaves behind four nephews who always had smiles on their faces when he walked into the room. Jake took pride in his nephews, or as he would refer to them as “Lady Killers.” He loved spoiling them and making them laugh. His “Duck Quack” was infamous and always brought out the laughs.
Jake was the youngest of four and leaves behind siblings Hannah (Clinton), Josh (Tina) and Heidi (Joshua). He enjoyed smack talk with his siblings about golf, football and whatever could be debated. Jake texted his siblings almost every day asking for important advice on things like how to download movies, what kind of spider did I just find, which smartwatch to buy to only tell time ... They rolled their eyes and smiled but happily obliged.
Jake has been reunited in heaven with his grandpas Ed Smith and Ray Murray; Grandma Carol Murray and Uncle Pat Murray, where the bear hugs were felt all the way down here.
“and while he was still a long way off, the Father saw His son and ran to him.” Luke 15:20
A celebration of life for Jake Smith will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan 26, 2020, at 3639 W. Prairie Ave., Hayden, ID 83835.
