SMITH
Mr. Donald "Don" Oliver Smith of Rimbey, Alberta passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, June 22, 2009 at the age of 82 years. Don was born on July 15, 1926 in Vancouver, B.C. In his lifetime, he has proudly been a logger, a farmer, a cattle dealer, a butcher, and served his country in the Army during World War II. In his younger years, Don resided in Matsqui, B.C. while he attended school. Upon being united in marriage to Gwen Pardo in January of 1947, Don and Gwen moved to Ladysmith, B.C., and Vancouver Island, eventually returning back to Matsqui. In 1957, they moved their family to Innisfail, Alberta where Don and his brother, Harold started shipping dairy cattle from the B.C. Fraser Valley into Alberta. They were in business together for 17 years. In 1974, Don underwent back surgery and they then sold their farm and purchased land near Rimbey. With pleasure, he kept a few of his purebred Simmentals that he had shipped in from Switzerland. In 1988, Don bought more land and returned to farming, as his son, Butch wanted to get into dealing dairy cattle and farming. In 1996, Don and Butch decided to buy a few buffalo, and by 2009, it was estimated that they have approximately 2500 head. Don retired after having back surgery again in 1994, and a knee replacement in June, 2000. Although having to slow down a bit…he always held a love for his life on the farm, and he received a great deal of enjoyment from helping out with the buffalo.
"Don will be missed greatly by his family and friends."
Don will be lovingly remembered by his beloved wife, Gwen; his son, Butch (Nicole) Smith of Rimbey; and his three daughters, Marie (Kent) Freer of Oak Harbor, Washington; Carol (Harley) Hawkings of Red Deer; and Shelly (Keith) Innes of Calgary; as well as eight special and cherished grandchildren, Taylor, Samantha, Kennedy, Valerie, Carmen, Guy, Jennifer and Stephanie. He will also be lovingly remembered by his three sisters, Olive Lund of Innisfail; Margaret Wagers, also of Innisfail; and Caroline Scott of Abbotsford, B.C.; in addition to many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. Don was pre-deceased by his parents; and his brother, Harold.
A Public Memorial Service in Celebration of Don's Life will be held at the Leedale Hall, Leedale on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with Mr. Don McFadyen officiating. Cremation took place at the Central Alberta crematorium, Red Deer. If friends desire, memorial tributes in Don's Memory may be made directly to the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, Box 440, Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0. Condolences to the Family may also be expressed by e-mail to: special_reflections@telusplanet.net
Funeral and Cremation Arrangements for the Late Mr. Donald "Don" Oliver Smith entrusted to the care of
Oberhammer
Funeral Chapels Ltd.
Box 717, 4922 - 50 Avenue
Rimbey, Alberta, TOC2J0
"A Guiding Hand... A Caring Hand"