George F. Elliot

George Frank Elliot, 86, a long time resident of Sandpoint and Post Falls, Idaho, passed away at Life Care Center of Sandpoint, on the evening of April 11, 2012. George was the son of the late Frank Elliot and Johanna Gertrude (Koch) Elliot, and a loving husband to his late wife Flora Darlene (Graham) Elliot of 60 years. George was born in Fort Benton, Montana, on February 07, 1926. George spent his early years in Fort Benton, and graduated from high school in May of 1943. George first came to Idaho in the fall of 1943, where he met Flora at a local grange hall dance. George returned to Fort Benton and enlisted in the Navy in March of 1944. He spent time in Bremerton, Washington, then completed his Navy tour as a shore patrolman at the Farragut Naval station. In March of 1946, George accepted what he thought was a 3 month job with the Sandpoint Police department. Six years later he became Chief of Police in Sandpoint. In 1958 George was selected to attend the FBI training academy in Quantico, Virginia. George’s distinguished career in Sandpoint law enforcement spanned nearly 29 years. In 1975 George continued his law enforcement career with the Kootenai County Sheriff Department in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Thirteen years later , in 1988, he retired as a Lieutenant in the Detective division of the KCSO. After retirement George and Flora spent many years traveling in their RV with friends and relatives. They were members of a local Coeur d’Alene Good Sam RV chapter. Outside of work George’s interests included coaching baseball, racing and building stockcars, cooking, and family activities. Special times for George were attending yearly family reunions with brothers, sisters, and other family members. He also looked forward to the annual family elk hunting trips. George could cook up a mean turkey dinner, and we all eagerly anticipated the day he arrived at camp, with the turkey and all its fixins’. George was one to visit with anyone with a “cup” of coffee and a vice like handshake. While not a man of many words, he had a zest for life and loved being around family. He took special pride in his grandchildren and great- grandchildren. While many took him to be gruff, he couldn’t fool the grandkids! Under that quiet, but sometimes gruff demeanor and deep voice, Dad cared greatly for his family and friends. We will truly miss him! He is survived by three children and a special nephew; Gary Elliot and wife Lola, Larry Elliot and wife Judy, Carla Bratley and husband Ernie, and David Dillon and wife Linda; seven grand children: David Dillon, Kara (Elliot) Henning, Deanna (Dillon) Brown, Krista (Elliot) Shaw, Joshua Elliot, Jarrad Elliot, and Brooke (Elliot) Schrack; sixteen great-grand children; sisters, Gertrude Boggs and Dorothy McLoughlin; brother, James Elliot and wife Virginia; sisters-in-law, May Stauffer, Daisy Graham and Naomi Graham, as well as numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. He was preceeded in death by his parents Frank and Johanna Elliot; his wife Flora; brothers-in-law Elden Boggs, Warren McLoughlin and infant grandson Shane Elliot. A memorial service to celebrate George’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 28, 2012, at Coffelt Funeral Home in Sandpoint, Idaho. Pastor Charles Wigton, longtime family friend, will officiate. A reception will follow at the First Christian Church, 201 North Division. The family requests memorials be given in George’s name to our local Sandpoint cancer organizations or to Wishing Star to benefit children. A private interment will be held at a later date for family members.