George Edgar 'Ed' Torrence, 77

George Edgar “Ed” Torrence, 77, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2019, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Family and friends are invited to join in celebrating Ed’s life at a memorial service to be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2019, at Lake City Church, 6000 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d’Alene.

Ed was born on February 7, 1942, to Bill and Hazel Torrence in Whitehall, Mont. He grew up and attended schools in Harrison and Butte. After high school, he proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. Since then, he has lived in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.

Ed married Beverly Burr in 1973 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho; they later divorced in 2003.

Ed had a lifelong love of music. He wrote his first song before grade school and since then has written more than 100 songs and poems. He enjoyed singing and playing the guitar, dobro, steel guitar, fiddle and harmonica, recording some of his performances. He led singing and worship services at several churches and nursing homes. Since 2014, he enjoyed entertaining the public, with a variety of other musicians, at a Friday night music program at the Silver Lake Mall.

Ed was multi-talented. He enjoyed several different occupations during his working years. He was an aircraft model maker for Boeing, a heavy equipment operator, a house painter, and a deputy sheriff. Ed was also a carpenter. He designed and architected an octagonal-shaped log home, which he and his family built a in the mountains of Idaho from their own timber.

Ed’s interest in improving his community was evident by his serving on local zoning and planning commissions and in starting a volunteer program to feed the homeless in Corvallis, Ore. He also volunteered as an ombudsman for nursing homes in Coeur d’Alene after spending months in one while recovering from cancer and a heart attack in 2012.

He enjoyed writing, and sharing stories with others. He wrote several fictional stories, including a novel called “Adventure in Time” that was published by Amazon.

He would like to be remembered as one who served and loved the Lord in any capacity that God made available, including as founder and pastor of Elmira New Life Center from 1985-1987. He did intensive topical studies of the scriptures for many years. Through participating in internet Christian discussion boards, he led several people to the Lord online. He was a kind-hearted man who was loved by many.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys Ramey of Coeur d’Alene; daughter, Annette Torrence and son-in-law Ari of Soap Lake, Wash.; son, David Torrence and daughter-in-law Lenore of Soap Lake; granddaughters, Summer and Isis Torrence; sisters, Dolly Olson, Viola Wilcowski, and Arley Julian; and loving nieces and nephews; who will all miss him very much.

Ed had many adventures in his life, but he wants you to know that he has just embarked on the greatest adventure of all. The adventure into eternity, to be with his God forever in a place that knows no sorrow or pain. It is his hope to once again see all his loved ones there.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Ed’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.