It is with great sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Roger, a life-long resident and farmer of the Champion, AB community.
Roger was born in Vulcan on November 4th, 1943 and passed away in Calgary on May 14th, 2020. After graduating high school in Vulcan, Roger left to further his education at Montana State University obtaining his B. of Sc. Degree in Agriculture Business in 1968. His first semester there he met the love of his life, Pauli Philpott from Buffalo, Montana, who was also attending MSU. They married on November 4, 1964 and became parents when Jamie was born, bringing George and Ivah their 1st Grandchild and so much joy.
Roger spent many hours riding on the tractor with Jamie during seeding operations and especially loved the harvest time riding on the combine. Before his health declined, he ran farming operations along with Hillcrest Seed Cleaning Plant where he hired many local students.
He was a fair and compassionate man who loved his community and was a life-long member of the Champion Lions Club, along with serving on local Hospital and School boards. Roger was known for his big heart along with speaking his mind on any subject; he will be sorely missed by his family and community.
Roger and Pauli spent many winters RV’ing down South, and on a Mexican Caravan in 2006 they met couples who became their winter families. This prompted them to buy property in Yuma, AZ; this becoming their destination of choice.
They enjoyed one last winter there as Jamie drove their motor home south then flew down to bring them home after Covid-19 struck. Roger was so very thankful for the time Jamie and Wendi spent with them this past winter in Yuma, helping them with projects along with just being there as friends and family. It was so fitting for Roger’s last winter!!
Beloved husband of Pauli K. Smith, he also leaves to mourn his loss; son James “Jamie” (Wendi) their daughters, Paizlee of Calgary and Jordyn of Lethbridge; son Ryan Fleetwood (Brandy) their daughter Tulsa, stepdaughter Catherine Dubois (Doyle) and their daughter Brianna, a brother J. Douglas of Vulcan Extendicare, a sister Patricia Smith-Allen (Mark) of Calgary, four nephews Tom, Jason, Chris and Leo and a niece, Michelle.
Roger is predeceased by his parents George F. and Ivah M. Smith along with an infant daughter born to Roger and Pauli in 1968.
A private family grave-site service was conducted by Pastor David Skinner, in the Champion Cemetery. The family plans to have a Celebration of Life for Roger in the community at a later date.
Tributes in Roger’s memory could be made to the Champion Cemetery Maintenance Association box 99, Champion T0L 0R0.
Vulcan Funeral Home is grateful to be assisting the family. Email condolences at www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.
My sincere sympathy goes out to Pauli, Jamie, Ryan, Catherine, and all members of the family at this sad time! Roger was a great friend and a huge help to my brother and me over the years during harvest when he did custom combining for us. Roger certainly “spoke his mind” … but what he had yo say was usually well worth listening to. While he could be a bit boisterous and maybe liked to present himself as being just a little “rough around the edges” he was in fact a very kind, thoughtful, and generous man and a great story teller and communicator who could entertain for hours on end with stories from the past and amusing anecdotes about the people he knew. Roger was hard working and very dependable, but he also took time to relax, travel, and enjoy his family too and he had a very full and rewarding life! We will sure miss him!