Verne Elbert Orchard of Calgary passed away at Calgary, Alberta June 3, 2003 at the age of 65 years.
Verne was born to Mike and Doris Orchard in Vulcan, Alberta May 30th, 1938. He was raised with his sisters, Anne and Marlene east of Vulcan on the family farm. He attended Reid Hill School. As a child he loved to be around the farm animals and took sport in riding the then dog as a bull. He had quite an accident as a youth. He liked to go bird hunting, and on one particular trip he fell asleep with his gun and was startled awake. Unfortunately, he shot off a toe. In his youthful exuberance, he chased a bull across a field and the animal tripped in a hole, breaking a leg, which required a splint. The bull recovered but his attitude didn’t and no one ever chased him again. Another activity that Doris tells us Verne enjoyed around the farm was sledding on near-by hills.
In 1960 he married Bettie Beckner. Verne and Bettie had two sons, Mark and Kelly. Bettie and Verne resided in High River where Verne worked in a grain elevator. Mark was born to them in High River. They then moved to Calgary where Verne began work in the trucking industry and learned the trade of welding. Kelly was soon born at the General Hospital. Bettie and Verne later divorced and as a teenager Kelly went to live with his dad.
After his divorce, Verne began truck driving. Verne loved to drive truck; he spoke of it often. When he began working at Porter Trucking as a welder, he enjoyed having his son, Mark, come to work with him. Mark is a refrigeration mechanic for the company.
One of the high points of Verne’s life and something he spoke of often, was his trip to the Yukon with his brother in law, Alan. Camping and fishing were activities he greatly enjoyed, especially with his sons. Kelly and Mark quickly learned that canoeing was something Verne was not proficient at. One particular trip had him eye to eye with a grizzly who stole the family cooler from the campsite next to his own. Verne took charge. He shone the flashlight on the bear and ordered Kelly to bang pots! The bear retreated…eventually.
He was very proud of his sons and his grandchildren with whom he was quite generous, and enjoyed spending time with his family. Verne was a farm boy at heart. He may have resided in the city but the country held his heart. He greatly enjoyed his visits to Vulcan and spent as much time as possible with his mother and other family in the area. He thought of Vulcan as home and it was here that he received and felt the most comfort and happiness.
Beloved Father of two sons Mark (Heide) and their son Justin of Blackie and Kelly (Kerry) and their two daughters Trista and Trina of Calgary, his mother Doris Orchard of High River, two sisters Anne Stevens of Edmonton, Marlene Smith of Calgary, two nephews and a niece.
Graveside service Monday June 9, 2003 at 11 A.M. at Vulcan Cemetery with Pastor Frank Harris officiating. Following the service friends are invited to gather at Vulcan Evangelical Missionary Lower Church Hall, 529 Center Street, Vulcan for refreshments and fellowship.
In lieu of flowers tributes in Verne’s memory could be made to Alberta Cancer Foundation 1331 – 29 St N.W. Calgary T2N 4N2.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.