Cody Alexander Whiteside passed away peacefully on July 31, 2024 at the age of 85 years surrounded by his loving family. He lived life to the fullest and maintained close relationships to both of his children and all of his grandchildren and great granddaughter. Cody was a highly respected member of the Vulcan community, and was an active member of the Lions Club and Masonic Lodge for many years. He remained vibrant until his passing, residing in the house he had shared with his beautiful wife Linda Diane Whiteside.
Cody was born to Alec and Leita Whiteside in Vulcan, AB on September 13, 1938. He met Linda during their high school years in Vulcan, and declared recently to his children that it was love at first sight. He attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton for Engineering, prior to marrying Linda in 1961 and taking over the family farm at Vulcan. He was a farmer from the start to the finish of his life and his pride in John Deere equipment was passed along to his family. Cody actively farmed until 2004 at which point he passed the operations of the farm on to his son Michael.
Cody and Linda were very active in the Flying Farmers Club of Alberta, both having achieved their pilots license in 1982. Weekends were spent in their Piper Arrow, flying their grandchildren to Calgary for brunch and to Cold Lake where their daughter Susan and her family lived at the time. They also flew their own plane across North America and saw much of the United States and Canada in this manner.
One of Cody’s exceptional talents was “he could fix anything”. He worked well into the night many times keeping the harvest equipment going and repairing everything from vehicles to farm equipment. Anyone that knew Cody also knew of his love for fast cars and even faster driving. Later in his life he found the 1967 Dodge Charger he had bought new in his 20’s and repurchased it. He restored the Charger and it is now in a museum in the US. Grass never grew under Cody’s feet, everything was done well and at top speed.
Travelling with his family was a passion for Cody, having visited Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, France, Thailand, Italy, Hawaii and Mexico among other international destinations. Everyone loved having Cody along and he was the best person to vacation with, contributing his own fun ideas and zeal for adventure. You couldn’t stop him from picking up the bill, or going into an ice cream store.
Cody was the poster child for what everyone would want in a Grandpa. He spent endless time with each of his grandchildren, all of them declaring they never heard a cross word from Grandpa. He stayed engaged and interested in each of their lives even as they grew into adulthood, and always welcomed an opportunity to take part in their special moments and share how proud he was of each of them. Cody never seemed to age and stayed stylish and current with all of the new technology and latest fitness tracking devices.
He is survived by his children of whom he was extremely proud, son Michael (Vicki) Whiteside and daughter Susan Whiteside Jones; his four grandchildren, Jodi (Matthew McQueen) Whiteside, James (Jessica) Whiteside, Abigail (Jordan) Wright and Aidan Jones and his great granddaughter Scout McQueen. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Linda in 2004, and his sister Eloise Reid-Bicknell in 2019.
At the end of his life Cody left this world with a belief and certainty that he would see his Heavenly Father and beloved Linda in heaven. While our family deeply mourns the loss of Cody to this world, we take comfort in this knowledge.
Close the Gate (For Dad)
Attributed to Nancy Kraayenhof
For this one farmer the worries are over, lie down and rest your head,
Your time has been and struggles enough, put the tractor in the shed.
Years were not easy, many downright hard, but you did what you intended,
Put away your tools and sleep in peace. The fences have all been mended.
You raised a fine family, worked the land well and it was an amazing run,
Hang up your shovel inside of the barn. Your work here on earth is done.
Your love of the soil has passed on to your kin, and the stories flow like fine wine,
Wash off the mud left by the rain, take off your boots one last time.
A new faith led your journey from this world, your heart found the way,
The sun is setting, the harvest is done, and here is the end of your day.
Your labor is done, your home is heaven; no more must you wait,
Your legacy lives on, your love of the land, and we will close the gate.
A Family Inurnment will take place at a later date.
Tributes in Cody’s memory can be made to the Vulcan County Health & Wellness Foundation, Box 28, Vulcan, AB, T0L 2B0 or to vchw.foundation@gmail.com.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.
My deepest condolences to all the family of Cody and Linda. When I worked at the Peter Dawson Lodge, Cody was a big part of helping me complete a walk across Canada with the residents by giving us a flight around the county as our way home from the east coast. It was so wonderful. Getting as many seniors as were willing to have a flight with the Vulcan Flying Club. An amazing man and he never missed saying hi having a quick chat no matter what he was doing. He will be sadly missed by so many.
Susan and Michael and families,
So sad to hear of your dad’s passing. Since Jim and I don’t travel outside of Calgary anymore, we had not seen Cody for some time.
Since I was an only child, Cody was the closest person to a brother that I had growing up. We only lived a half mile apart so we, along with his sister, Eloise, spent a lot of time at each other’s homes. I have very fond memories of summers playing in the dirt with Cody’s toy farm machinery in the shade on the north side of their original house. We made little roads and hills and little ponds we filled with water. Not sure if kids even do this anymore.
Our other favorite pastime was riding our bikes on the gravel road that ran past our homes. South of my childhood home is a big hill that we use to ride down at breakneck speed, At the bottom of the hill we would turn on to the connecting road and hold on for dear life to make the turn. I don’t think we ever took a spill but it was awfully close to one.
Cody enjoyed spending time with my dad, Harry Johnson. My dad had always said he would not want to go up in a plane. Cody changed that when he took my dad on a flight. My dad was absolutely enthralled with flying after his first experience and, thanks to Cody, had many more hours in the sky.
After my dad passed away, Cody often told me how much he missed him. Susan and Michael, I know you will miss your dad (and your mom too) because they were both wonderful people. I think it is a high compliment to someone that has passed when we miss them. Just know that Jim and I have very fond memories of your dad.
With lots of love,
Grace and Jim Olmstead
We were saddened to learn of the death of Cody your beloved father, grandfather, and great granddad. Cody was a wonderfully warm person; every meeting with Cody began with a hug. The last time I saw Cody was in Calgary having narrowly missed him a few times as I visited Eloise. We are so sorry for your loss and are keeping your family close in thought and prayer. Remember that a little further down the road, memories of Cody will no longer bring tears but only heartwarming gratitude for his life and what he has meant to each of you. God Bless you all.
Mavis and David Naylor and our family – Jennifer (Jared) Melanie, Abigail, Elizabeth Munton, and James (Janet) Naylor.
We were saddened to learn of the death of Cody, your beloved father, grandfather and great grandad, who will be greatly missed. Cody was a wonderfully warm person; every meeting with him began with a warm hug. The last time I saw Cody was in Calgary having narrowly missed him a few times as I visited Eloise. We are so sorry for your loss and are keeping your family close in thought and prayer. Remember that a little further down the road, memories of Cody will no longer bring tears but only heartwarming gratitude for his life and for what he has meant to each of you. God Bless you all.
Love from Mavis and David Naylor and our family – Jennifer (Jared) Melanie, Abigail, Elizabeth Munton, and James (Janet) Naylor.
Our deepest condolences to all the Whiteside family members on the loss of Cody. Always kind and friendly and such a prominent member of this community. May you be blessed with loving thoughts and memories whenever missing your sweet loved one.
Larry & Janice Jackson
Our sincere sympathy on the passing of a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. Cody will be missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.
Our sincere sympathy to Mike and Vicki and family, and to Susan and family as well.
Love from Uncle Lyle and Auntie Joan ❤️
To the WHITESIDE extended families,,,,,Sincere and heartfelt condolences on the passing of your loved and revered Cody, a true Vulcan and Alberta son — he will be truly missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace. Our thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with you all through this difficult time.
God bless, Norm and Karen Kristjansson.
Dwight and Judy are so very sorry for your loss, I enjoyed coffee every morning at the A and W with him and his friends. Time to rest now
My dad has very fond memories of Cody. He tells me they hit the ditch in a snowstorm and dad and Bill and their parents spent the night at Cody’s. Gerry was born the next day or in the next few days. How wonderful to know they will reunite in heaven.
Michael & Vicki and Susan & families
Please accept my most heartfelt sympathies for the loss of your beloved Dad and Grandpa, Cody.
Wishing you the strength to face the days ahead and wonderful memories to cherish forever. May your hearts mend a little with each passing day.
With deepest condolences.
It was an honor to meet with Cody and help with Cody’s care. He was always with loving family when he attended the office. You are a wonderful family and Cody will be missed.
My sincere sympathy goes out to all of the Whiteside Family on Cody’s passing. He was an important part of The Vulcan Community for so many years, and was so well known and well liked throughout Southern Alberta that he will be missed by many!
We will always cherish the Wonderful Memories of Cody. He will be forever missed. Gary and Frances Banks
Michael, Vicki, Susan, and families,
Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the passing of your dad, grandpa, and good friend to so many people.
We were devastated, to hear of the passing of Cody, as he dearly was a great friend to all of us that had the pleasure of knowing him.
My deepest condolences to you all on Cody’s passing.