- Date Of Birth: July 24, 1947
- Date Of Death: November 2, 2022
- State: Idaho
Edward Woodson Smith, IV died Wednesday, November 2, 2022. Edward, called Ed by most, was named after his dad and several others before him. He was born July 24, 1947 in Missoula, Montana and his wife never let him forget that she was the Idaho native and he, unfortunately, was not.
Ed was a teacher, a successful business owner, a track coach, a smokejumper, a landlord, a career education materials developer, a runner, and most importantly the father of two girls who grew into outstanding women.
Ed learned to sew as a smokejumper. He bought a commercial sewing machine from another smokejumper and taught himself how to make bags—all kinds of bags. He began selling them at Saturday Market. Then as businesses took note that a custom bag could be made to their specifications here locally, he rented a space and recruited his sister-in-law to sew and sell and The Bagmaker was born. Over the years the business grew and as it did Ed moved it into larger spaces, renting at first and then buying property. His daughters laugh that it was “the family business” as they learned to sort checks, work retail or pack bags for shipping. Ed sold the business in 2000 and after he retired from teaching a few years later, Ed and Sandy had time to travel.
Ed always wanted to see the Cape of Good Hope. Sandy thought that would be the perfect reward for teaching 7th grade Geography all those years so a plan was hatched to go to Africa with their close friends the Dimmicks. The carefully planned trip was amazing for all of them, but especially for Ed who had taught so many 7th graders about the African continent. Ed and Sandy traveled to France, Italy, Costa Rica, Mexico, biked in Spain, and then went back again to the places they loved the most.
Ed is survived by his wife Sandy, his daughters Jennifer Smith and Lindsey Sechler, Lindsey’s husband Josh and their daughter Emma, Josh’s daughters Cheyanne and Audrey, Ed’s sister-in-law Amy Kunert and his nephews Aaron and Ryan Smith. He was preceded in death by his mother, Irene Fort Smith, his father, Edward Woodson Smith III, and his brother Charlie.
