Gordon Thomas Jarrett

But that sadness is tempered by the joy he brought to us all, no matter how many of his 95 years we knew him for.

Gordon was born in Alsask, Saskatchewan on October 20, 1930, to Walter Gordon Jarrett and Muriel Elsa Baird.

Sister Arlene followed two years later, and the family relocated to Calgary when Gordie was 5 years old.

Growing up Gordie rode a lot of horses, worked a variety of jobs and had plenty of adventures, including a semi-pro ball career, before taking over his dad’s milkman route with Alpha Milk and settling down to raise a family with his first wife, Thelma. Baird (BJ) and Walter never doubted they were the apple of their father’s eye. When Thelma grew ill and Gordie needed to focus on her care, Baird (BJ) moved into his own assisted independent living apartment for those with special needs, but visits with dad and Walt remained a lifelong constant with bowling, bingo, balls games and burgers at Baird’s favourite place, A&W.

And while Gordie excelled at everything he did, he was truly a cowboy at heart, and everything was done with that cowboy code. No one who met him every forgot his strong handshake, that twinkle in his eye or his booming voice asking how they were doing.

After Thelma passed in 2003, Gordie was alone for a time before meeting the second love of his life, Ida, in 2008. Together they continued to have adventures, getting married in 2010, travelling to brandings, spring camp for the Blue Jays in Florida, vacations abroad and in Canada, as well as plenty of visits with family.

The past year life slowed down for Gordie and Ida, but their dedication and love never wavered, and they were side by side right to the end.

He was predeceased by his parents Walter and Muriel, his first wife Thelma and their two sons Walter and Baird (BJ), and stepdaughter Daphne Smith (Warren). There is no doubt they met him in the next life with big smiles, ready for an adventure.

He leaves behind Ida, sister Arlene (Larry); nephews David (Jeannie), Alen (Deb), and Garth (Caralie); niece Denise (predeceased by husband Rob); and their families, stepchildren Rose Reid (Shane), Sharon Wass (Robin), Robert Clarke (Dierdre) and Stephanie Stevens, Tony Evers, as well as numerous step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and more friends that can be counted.

He left this earth with the same stoicism he lived his life with, and he most certainly left it a better place for having been in it.