Charles Loftus Smith

Meridian, ID.—Charles “Charlie” Loftus Smith died suddenly on May 30, 2026, due to complications from heart failure.

Charlie was born July 20, 1973, in Santa Cruz, CA to Glen and Susan Smith. In July 1978, Charlie moved with his family to Boise, ID so they could open Smith’s Baby News, a children’s specialty store. Growing up, Charlie excelled in sports. He played optimist football, basketball, and skied at Bogus Basin. He developed a great love for the outdoors and spent much time fishing, camping, and riding motorcycles with his family. He was the goofy one in the family, always entertaining his siblings: Tom, Josh, and Sarah.

When Charlie was 12 years old his family began attending Valley Shepherd Church of the Nazarene. It was here that he first learned to put his trust in the Lord and was later baptized at that church. He was active in youth group and had so many great friendships at Valley Shepherd.

Charlie graduated from Nampa Christian High School on May 22, 1992. He went right into the family furniture business while taking business classes at Boise State University. On July 22, 1995 he married his high school sweetheart Teresa Elizabeth Vander Stelt. Together they built a beautiful life in the Treasure Valley. Their children include Tyler (Heather) Smith, Garrett (Malia) Smith, and Solomon Smith. In January 2026, Charlie and Teresa welcomed their first grandchild Rosemary Charlotte Smith, whose middle name is in honor of Charlie. He treasured the time he had with his granddaughter and proudly wore his “Grandpa” hat everywhere he went.

Charlie had several careers during his lifetime including the furniture industry, Western Power Sports, and being a real estate agent for Better Homes & Gardens. He was a natural salesman and thrived in the real estate business. His super-power was listening to others and understanding how he could help them find a home.

As an adult, he continued to enjoy the outdoors. He completed multiple long-distance hiking endeavors, known as “death hikes”, which were 47-mile treks through the Sawtooth Mountain range. He would train for months in order to do these death hikes in one long effort—no stopping or sleeping. He loved to mountain bike, paddle board, hunt, ice fish, snowboard, and ride motorcycles. In the fall of 2005, he was trapped in the mountains for 11 days when a blizzard hit unexpectedly. He spent one of those nights outdoors, completely exposed in the woods, and credits his survival to a forest service map, a saw, and matches he found under the seat of his stuck snowmobile. Although stressful at the time, this event became a great source of story-telling later in life.

Charlie also had a great love of the beach, taking trips with Teresa to Mexico, Aruba, and the Caribbean Islands. They both were certified in scuba diving and some of their best memories were on tropical beaches or exploring the underwater sea life together.

Charlie was the most proud of his three sons. When they were young, he was a “hands-on” dad who wasn’t afraid to change a diaper or give a bath. As his sons got older, he was the proud father on the sidelines while his sons played football, basketball, baseball, and golf. He taught his sons the value of honesty, loyalty, hard work, and kindness.

In January 2024, Charlie developed a cardiomyopathy that led to heart failure. This was an unexpected and difficult turn for Charlie. He trusted God to take care of him, and on May 30, 2026, he passed into the arms of his Savior and Healer.

A memorial service honoring Charlie’s life will be held at Valley Shepherd Church of the Nazarene on June 10 at 11:00 AM. Support will be provided by Alden-Waggoner Funeral Home. The family requests that attendees refrain from wearing fragrance for the service due to an allergy in the family.  Flowers may be delivered to the funeral home on Tuesday.