John Frank Archer was born October 10, 1937, to William and Florence Archibald near Sunny Valley, SK. He was the second of 6 children. They were a farm family so before school they milked the cows and fed the chickens and other animals. He was very bright, even as a young child, and always adventuring. At 2 he climbed on everything, including the top of the big barn. He learned to play the violin at 5 and was a natural on the piano, getting in trouble for playing rock & roll Jerry Lee Lewis style on the piano at school. He was way ahead in classes at school, finishing grade 12 at 15 in the states, living with his Mom's family for grade 11 and 12, and 2 years of college. As teenagers, him and his brother Bill and their friends got in lots of mischief.
Music was always important to John. He usually played in a band. He worked construction. He met Sharon Wilson and they got married and had 5 children. When he lived in Manitoba, he became an electrician, a trade he loved throughout his life and was very skilled at. He had a strong faith in God, although he didn't always attend church. He moved a lot throughout his life. He also had another son. The last 12 years he spent with Jenette Beckman. They had a loving relationship as well as performing together. The last year of his life, he became increasingly ill, until his death Friday, May 10, 2024.
John was predeceased by his brother Bill, sister Susan and cousin Merle.
He is survived by his sisters Margaret Glennie, Karen Richarson, and Elsie Gronsdah; his sister-in-law Helen Archibald; his children Debbie Bonsan, Vicki Woodhouse, Cindy Lee, Kim Archilbald, Wanda Hosea, and Jonathan Stevens, several nieces and nephews, several grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.
John's Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, May 19th at Pioneer Hall, 792 101st Street, North Battleford, at 1:00pm.
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