Clyde Junior 'Shad' Smith, 96

Clyde Junior “Shad” Smith, 96, of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away peacefully in his home April 21, 2023.

Clyde was born Dec. 26, 1926, in Flint, Mich., to Clyde A. and Sarah J. (Scharer) Smith.

The family moved in 1938 to Marlette, Mich., where father Clyde, a pharmacist, purchased a building and opened a drugstore. Son Clyde graduated from Ferris Institute as a pharmacist in 1948 and eventually purchased the store and operated the business until he sold it in 1982. He continued to work as a relief pharmacist for several years.

After a few meetings at the soda fountain in the drugstore, Clyde asked Ruth Julia Alonzo to help with store inventory. They eventually fell in love and were married on May 15, 1952, with friends Halvor “Harry" and Sophia “Sophie” Johnsen serving as best man and matron of honor. Harry and Sophie continued as lifelong friends.

They had two children, son Gerald A. “Jerry" and daughter Onalee M. “Onnie.”

Clyde survived polio in the 1930s and was shot in a hunting accident in 1956, which left him blind in one eye, yet he and Ruth raised a family and maintained the business until the children were raised and the business was sold.

He and Ruth enjoyed traveling throughout the western U.S., meeting new people and visiting their children wherever they were at the time.

They eventually moved to Post Falls in 2002 and purchased a home with their daughter, Onnie. They enjoyed time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was a Lions Club member and attended meetings wherever they traveled for more than 60 years.

Clyde is survived by his wife of 70 years, Ruth, son Jerry, daughter Onnie (Dennis) DeThomas, granddaughters Starr J. Deever, Christina M. Campbell, Alicia “Hollie” Deever, six great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by brother Charles W. (Lucy) Smith of Punta Gorda, Fla.

He was preceded in death by brother James B.(Freda O.) Smith and sister Doris M.(Wayne D. “Steve") Stephens.

He was a good man, and those who knew him would confirm that fact with a smile.

His greatest joy was being with family. He was loved and will be missed.