Stephen C. Smith

1955 - 2024

Stephen C. Smith

August 12, 1955 - August 11, 2024

McCall, Idaho - Stephen Christopher Smith. Husband, dad, brother. Maritime lawyer, Admiralty Procter, enthusiastic baseball fan, and mountain biker, passed August 11, 2024, at his home in McCall, Idaho at the age of 68. Stephen (Steve), born in 1955 in Seattle, Washington, grew up in Boise, Idaho and graduated from Bishop Kelly High School. While in high school he worked as a sports reporter for the Idaho Statesman, and later as a reporter for the Associated Press.

Steve was proud of his many career accomplishments. He earned his BA from Georgetown University and his JD from Tulane Law School. As a junior lawyer, he served as a law clerk to Chief United States District Judge Walter T. McGovern of the District Court in Seattle. For the remainder of his career, he worked as a maritime lawyer. At his death, he was working for the Seattle firm, Holmes, Weddle, and Barcott. As a maritime lawyer, Steve was fascinated with the Pacific Islands and had the privilege to live and practice law there. He was known to be strategic and creative regarding ships and shipping law. Most of all, he enjoyed and appreciated the variety of people with whom he met and worked.

Steve was dedicated to volunteerism. He and his family lived 22 years on Bainbridge Island, Washington where he volunteered for the Bainbridge Island Fire Department and as a Little League coach. Later, Steve volunteered as a Park Commissioner, and he served on the Historical Preservation Council for the City of Boise.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Judge Walter E. Smith and Eileen Coughlin Smith. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Kathleen Cornelson Smith, his daughter Kellan (Ian Shiach), and his son Grayson (Laura Fitzgerald). Steve is also survived by brothers Thomas Smith (Jeanne Gromer Smith), William Smith (Christine Smith) and sister Patricia Smith Cassell (Paul Cassell).

Steve was loved by his wife's family Sharlene Green (Allen Traywick), Shannon Freeman (Terry Shaffer), and Brenda Freeman (Kenneth Coll). Throughout his life, Steve had the privilege of knowing many nieces and nephews and enjoyed being an uncle and a godfather to Stephan Arguinchona.

Steve cared deeply for the mountains and the rivers, the trees, and the people of Idaho. He loved the place he was from as much as he loved to travel the world. An avid reader, Steve loved books about history and politics and until his death read 9 newspapers almost every day. Steve will be missed by friends and family for his humor and curiosity.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the McCall Medics and Fire Department, St. Lukes and Mayo Clinic Oncology departments, and Steve's childhood best friend Patrick Vaughn, for care and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the McCall Paramedics and Fire Department, The Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation, or the Idaho Chapter of The Nature Conservancy.