Phillip Godfrey Smith

July 26, 1965 -

Aug 9, 2019

Phillip Godfrey Smith was born in Couer d'alene, Idaho, on July 26, 1965. He later moved to Alaska with his family, graduated from Robert Service High School in Anchorage in 1983, and attended University of Alaska Fairbanks to receive his bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering. Phillip died of a heart attack on Aug. 9, 2019, in British Columbia, as he and his family began their road trip home after vacationing at the beloved cabin.

Phillip is survived by his daughter, Ellie Wyanne Smith; wife, Lisa Plummer Smith; sister, Valerie Gloria Smith; her daughters, Tyra Lynn Heatherington and Dacia Rae Benjamin; mother, Irene May House; aunt, Judy Anne Heller; uncle, Russell Thomas Smith; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and family. Ellie Wyanne was the biggest joy of her father's life; She made him laugh every day.

Phillip was a generous man who loaned friends money to cover tuition and start businesses. He was quick to offer help and often provided for others in times of need. He enjoyed a successful career in the oil business and traveled extensively for work before marrying Lisa in 2004. Phillip proposed to Lisa while flying her tandem paragliding from the summit of Idaho Peak in Silverton, B.C., to the cabin across Slocan Lake. He would later tell the story as, "I had a hook knife in one hand and a ring in the other – and said marry me and make me the happiest man on earth."

Phillip was an avid skier and paraglider and volunteered for Special Olympics. He particularly loved spending time at the cabin in Canada and worked each summer there maintaining the property, using his sawmill, gathering logs on the lake and making miles of boardwalk trails so his father LaRalle Richard Smith could still enjoy walking the property in his elder years. Phillip and his sister Valerie spent the last summer of their father's life caring for LaRalle as he battled cancer at the cabin.

LaRalle lost his battle to cancer on Jan. 9, 2018. Phillip is also predeceased by his grandfather, Godfrey William Smith; grandmother, Esther Bertha Smith; and his Uncle Bill Clarence Eller. Phillip and LaRalle enjoyed having the family spend time together at the cabin – golden moments.

Phillip had deep roots in Alaska and although job security led the family to move in 2011, first to Texas then to Colorado, Phillip maintained close contact with his childhood friends from Alaska and returned with his family for frequent visits.

A large celebration of life was held in Evergreen, CO, on Oct. 14, 2019, and many members of his out of state family and friends were in attendance to honor Phillip.

In lieu of flowers or donations, the family suggests people "Pay it Forward" with an act of kindness in memory of Phillip. He was a lion among men and will be forever missed.