The family of John MacDougall of Champion, are saddened to announce his passing at the Lethbridge Chinook Regional Hospital on December 5th, 2023 at the age of 98.5 years.
John was born on May 14th, 1925 on the Isle of Lismore in Scotland. He spent his early years living on Lismore on the family farm raising sheep and cattle. John joined the Air Cadets at 14 years old and joined the army in 1941 with the Royal Air Force as an airplane mechanic. He was stationed in England, Iceland and various other locations in Europe. Once the war was over, John returned to Lismore but decided to follow his two uncles, Charlie and Alec, to Champion Alberta on March 6th 1949. Once here, he took a role in his family’s Hereford and Shorthorn cattle herd and started farming.
One evening, at a dance at the Alston community hall, he met the love of his life, Joan Zeller. Together they raised 11 kids on the farm along the Little Bow River. As the years went by and the grandkids started to come, John and Joan loved to entertain. Whether it be teaching them how to fish or drive, taking them sledding behind the red truck or dropping them off at Bailey’s to float down the river, he was always smiling ear to ear or wiggling his ears. He could often be found drinking a cup of coffee, playing crib or playing the “squeeze box.”
In 2019, John and Joan moved to Lethbridge to start the next chapter of their lives together. John touched everyone he met. His love for his family was undeniable and apparent to everyone around him. He loved to drive his red truck with the dogs in haul by his side and have a cup of coffee to catch up with the local news with many neighbors.
Besides his beloved wife Joan of 61 years, John is survived by his children – Peter (Gail) of Halifax; Ruanna (Larry) of Balzac; Lorna of Red Deer; Malcolm (Joanne) of Champion; Iain (Sandra) of Red Deer; Dwayne (Laura) of Delia; David (Kari-Ann) of Calgary; Carlos of Balzac; Steven (Tanya) of Champion; Rhea Munro of Calgary; and Tom (Michelle) Teichroeb of Langruth, Manitoba. He also leaves behind his grandchildren: Sean (Natasha), Emma, Bryson, Samantha, Corbin, Erinn, Duncan, Alec (Mackenzie), Abigail (Randal), Bryndelle, Connor, Dermot, Khiara, Colin, Taryn, Wyatt, Sarah (Phil), Alyson, Seamus, Kailey, Lily, Madison, Regan and his recent great grandchild, Edwin along with many nieces and nephews in Scotland. He was predeceased by his parents Peter and Jane, siblings Dugald, James, Alister, Duncan, Mary and Charlie, and grandchildren Joshua and Joel.
Prayers will be held on Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 at 7 pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Champion. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday December 13th at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Champion. Internment to follow at the Champion Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life at the Community Hall at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, tributes in John’s memory can be made to the Holy Childhood Association online at https://www.missionsocieties.ca/holy-childhood-association-hca/ or any charity of your choice.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.
Joan and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. John was such a gentle soul. I will never forget how thrilled my parents were to be invited to your wedding. My Mom raved about all the Scottish Tartan and how well suited you two were. The Fireguard neighbors we happy to welcome you into our community. You married a fine gentleman and had a wonderful life together. May your memories wrap you in them like a well loved quilt. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers as you grieve the loss of your beloved John.
Dear Joan and Family , We were sorry to hear of Johns passing. He was a good friend and neighbor and will be greatly missed. We have fond memories of all the visits and special times spent with him. Our thoughts are with all of you at this difficult time. Most sincerely, Ken and Betty Lynn { Warren } Masse
Joan and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. May all the wonderful memories of John help comfort you during this sad time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Brian and Leslie Winters
Dear Joan and family,
Please know that you are on my mind and in my prayers during this sad time.
There are so many fond and happy memories of John going through my mind that I will cherish forever like our many family visits to the farm,the sharing of meals,the sheep shearing,the farm dogs, playing with and babysitting many of your “little”
MacDougalls. It was always a fun family occasion when we came out to the farm.. And of course I will always remember John with his big smile, those wiggling ears and warm hugs when we arrived! He was a very special person to my Mom and Dad and our family and we will always cherish that❤
Thinking of all of you in thoughts and prayers.
All my love and sympathy,
Sandra
Our sincere condolences to Joan and and family
John will be missed no doubt about that.
Joan and the MacDougall family, so sorry for the loss of John. Such a kind, gentle man who lived such a wonderful life. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time.
Joan and family. So very sorry to hear of Johns passing. So many memories flood my mind. The teasing the coffee the many laughs we shared at mom and dads. Going for coffee at your house with your family The list goes on but the world has lost a very gentle, kind , smart, dependable and loving man. We will miss him but hold him in our hearts forever.