JOHN ROBERT CARTER

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JOHN ROBERT CARTER John Robert Carter passed away peacefully at Stonewall Hospital, December 18, 2007, at the age of 93. John was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, April 15, 1914, and grew up in the Fort Qu'Appelle area. As a young child he spent many hours roaming the hills and coulees around his family farm, developing a keen love for nature and all her creatures. He began banding birds and keeping ornithogical records at the age of 15. Hunting, trapping, and fishing became money making adventures. Being open to any challenge and known for his honest hard work, he was never at a loss for jobs that included various farm enterprises, carpentry, mechanics and training horses. In 1946 he and a friend operated a sawmill at Barrhead in northern Alberta. In 1947 while working at a tourist camp, he found a pretty young girl walking on his fishing nets laid out to dry on the sand. Eventually he met this, Myrtle Cline, and she became his wife October 18, 1949, at Zelma, Saskatchewan. They spent the first few years in the Fort Qu Appelle area and had three boys. In the spring of 1954 they moved to Harperville, Manitoba, then to Lake Francis in 1956 and finally in 1957 to Woodlands, where they established a farm and continued to create a large family with 11 children. Their mixed farm included a PMU operation for 12 years which allowed John to use his talents and love for horses. John drove a school bus for 19 years and offered his skills as a mechanic, welder, veterinarian and barber to local neighbours. John had a love for music and began playing violin at the age of 9, later with friends and for dances. He also entertained his children playing guitar and mouth organ. He enjoyed the challenge of card games and brain teasers and liked reading and writing. In his later years he shared his memories with family and friends in two autobiographies printed in 1994 and 2006. John was predeceased by his youngest son George; and sons-in-law Lloyd and Darren. He is survived by his wife Myrtle; children Bob (Claudette), Bill (Jackie), Jim (Shirley), Joan (Bert), Marjorie, Norma (Ken), David (Della), Hazel, Bruce, and Dan (Janet); grandchildren Les, Ryan, Brent, Brennen, Reagan, Chelsea, Sheldon, Aaron, Kari, Sara, Derek, Robin, Monty, Cortney, Michael, Dylan, Darren, Joel, Lerissa, Devin, Jeremy, Megan, Zane, Max, Jilayna; great-grandchildren Nicoles, Bethany, Aiden, Laureen, Cassie, Chase, Jamie, Samantha, Kristen, Dominic, Jude, Carter, and numerous family and friends. As per his wishes John will be cremated and a family memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the South Interlake Seniors Resource Centre or the Palliative Care Unit at Stonewall Hospital. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 20, 2007