Nov 6, 1939 - Oct 30, 2017
Allan Douglas Smith
It is with great joy and sadness that our beautiful dad, Allan Smith, passed away peacefully in our sister, Brenda's Enderby home, on October 30, 2017 after a long courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Allan Douglas Smith was born on November 06, 1939 in the Wyngard area of Saskatchewan. When he was two years old, the family moved to the MacDowall area where he took his schooling. During his young adult life, he had the pleasure of meeting his wife, Muriel and fell in love. This was the beginning of a full adventurous life together, raising four children. Allan began his working career working in the bush as a faller and bucker with his older brothers, Edgar, Clifford, and Dalvin Smith. At the age of 18, Allan went to work in Vancouver to spread his wings. There he learned to build sofas and chairs in woodworking. There is a great story of how he ended up getting a ride on the wooden roller coaster, Playland's most historic and spectacular attraction, built board by board in 1958.
Allan loved horses from a very early age, growing up riding. His life was a reflection of 'The Cowboy Way'; riding on the range professionally and rodeoing, breaking and training horses in between. Allan broke many head of horses for bush use, with harness as well as riding horses. Eventually rodeo became his passion. His rodeo friends nicknamed him 'Woody' because he stuck like a wood tick riding broncs and bucking stock - greats such as Gerry Myers, George Foulin, the Morrins, the Prouse brothers and Kenny McLean. When he worked in the bush, the lumberjacks called him 'Bull'...Most of the race guys called him 'The Kid'...Walter Adams, the Fischers, Lloyd Dowd (PFRA) and Jim Shoulders.
He returned to SK to what he knew best, the bush and horses, to be with his young wife and to start raising a family, during this time, also losing a son, Ricky. Allan gave his heart to Jesus at a young age and there was nothing he wasn't thankful for. Being with Muriel, working in the forestry industry, and later as full-time cowboy spending many hours in the saddle, brought him a fulfilled and happy, loving lifestyle working on the government pastures.
Allan lived a childhood dream of how life was back in the Wild West when he and Muriel went to work on the Muskwa River for outfitters, Gary and Sandra Vince. It was western! After finally retiring off the Esterhazy community pasture, they found themselves once again on a new adventure in the Caribou Mountains in central BC, riding the cattle range on one of Canada's largest organic ranches. After he decided to 'hang up the spurs', Dad and Mom retired and settled in their home on Sheridan Lake. There they celebrated 56 years of marriage. It was a tremendously sad loss when his true love, and best friend Muriel, went to be with the Lord on September 13, 2016.
Allan was a humble and quiet man who loved the simple life. He had an incredible sense of humour and a great appreciation for life. A simple but complicated man; mischievous and reverent. He passed his love and knowledge of horses and cattle down to all his family. His greatest joy and pride was his family.
Shortly after, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on November 6, 2016, his birthday. He came to live with Brenda in Enderby, BC where he peacefully went to be with the Lord with his loving family by his side. He left us just shy of his 78th birthday.
Allan, who was also known as Papa, Dad, Grampa, Uncle, Brother and Sweetheart will be dearly missed by his four children; Cheryl Gordon (Ronald), Brenda Hammond, Connie Smith, Darcey Smith (Gail, Lily and Ben); grandchildren, Rick Smith (Krista, and great granddaughters Sadie, Kylie), Amy Smith (Andrew Moffat and great grandson, Ian), Trevor Gordon (Brittany), Shanda Lyons (Scott and great grandson, Marshall), Chantel Gordon, Steven Hammond (Chelsea and great grandson, Mason), Brady Smith; special friends, Brian Kascmar (Lorna), Bailey and Justin.
Allan is survived by sister-in-law, Avon Smith; brothers-in-law, Art Smith (Peggy) and Jake Dyck; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Muriel and Allan's cremated remains will be interred at Deer Park Cemetery at MacDowall, SK in June 2018.
A celebration of life was held on November 4, 2017 at the residence of Brenda Hammond.
Urn bearer was grandson, Brady Smith and honorary bearers were son-in-law, Ronald Gordon, and good friend, Barry Law.
Share memories and condolences through Allan's obituary at www.fischersfuneralservices.com.
Fischer's Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., 4060 1st Ave. SW, Salmon Arm, BC, V1E 2Y9. Tel: 250-833-1129.
Fischer's Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd.