DIXON, TELFORD DELWYN 1943 – 2020

Telford Delwyn Dixon passed away surounded by his family at Vulcan Community Health Centre, Vulcan, Alberta August 5, 2020, at the age of 76 years. He was born October 16, 1943 near Makaroff and grew up in Grand Narrows district of Manitoba, eldest son of Joan and John Dixon. He shared his place in the family with two older sisters, two younger sisters and four younger brothers. The family farm was north of Roblin and on the edge of the forested area of the Duck mountains, So he grew up going hunting with his Dad and Uncles and later with his brothers. He also helped with the sawmill and went to the bush with his dad in winter.

When he was eighteen he got a job at the Nickel mine at Thomson Manitoba which was just opening up. He wasn’t there too long as he found he didn’t like to go underground and when his uncle Al phoned in 1961 and said a farmer in Alberta needed a hired man he came west. He enjoyed working on the Nelson farm and cattle ranch and was there for four years. Summer was when the Milo Race meet was a big attraction and he enjoyed helping the Nelson’s and the Lions members on the Race Meet committee with that.

He met Levona at the race meet in 1964 and they married in 1965. Telford got a job as an elevator agent for Alberta Wheat Pool and they went to live in Buffalo Alberta in Feb of 1966.That fall Nelsons offered him his old job back and a place to live so they moved home to the Milo area and stayed put there.

Their son Delwyn was born in 1967 and then Telford got a job at the local garage in Milo and was there until the owner died and the garage was sold. He started working in the winters on oil rigs with his friend Dwight.

The family, which included Andrew born in 1968, moved into the small village of Queenstown. They lived in the Pioneer house and then bought a house at the north end of town from Grant Lahd. Telford and Levona bought some heifers from her dad Ordie Lahd. In about 1970 and they started their own farm, renting Reserve land and land from Ordie’s uncle, Carl Johnson. To keep the farm going he worked for Gamon Holdings hauling oil and water. The boys grew up in Queenstown and when Levona’s Dad died in 1983 the family moved a house onto the Lahd farm and they enjoyed living on the farm raising Simmental and Charolais cattle.

Telford, along with Grant Lahd, were instrumental in gaining a family membership in the Lomond Grazing lease and his cattle were there for many years. In the nineties Delwyn was killed in an accident and Andrew went trucking and harvesting in the States. As Telford got older he was glad to see Andrew come back home and talk over farming and settling down with Roxane and her son Colton. In 2005 Telford was thrilled to greet his granddaughter Grace and she had him under her spell from then on. He was pleased to see her interested in horses and made sure she had good ones to pick from. He always said five horses was a good number to have.

He loved to camp in the mountains, go to farm sales, horse sales or cow sales and loved to visit the Dixons in Manitoba every year if possible. He also liked to go to antique stores to see what they had to offer. He collected cow bells and saddles and horse harness and John Deere stuff if he could afford it.
Telford was proud of his sons, and that they were good all round “Jacks of all trades”.

Besides his loving wife Levona Telford is survived by his son Andrew (Roxane) two grand children Colton and Grace. 3 brothers and 3 Sisters numerous nieces and nephews.

A family graveside service was held at Hope Lutheran Cemetery, Milo with Sue MacDonald officiating.

Tributes in memory of Telford could be made to the Vulcan Community Health Centre Ladies Auxilary, Box 299, Vulcan T0L2B0.

Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.