(JACK) JOHN GLEN MCLARTY

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(JACK) JOHN GLEN MCLARTY October 11, 1928 - May 9, 2018 (aged 89) Jack passed away at the Neepawa Health Centre with his wife at his side. Jack was born and raised in Franklin, MB to Neil and Edith McLarty. He was one of five siblings. He attended school in Franklin completing Grade 8. He told many stories of his escapades growing up. In his younger days he tried different occupations - he worked on various farms, in the oil patch and drove for Clark's Freighters while farming with his uncles in Franklin. While working for Swan River-The Pas Transfer, Jack met Jean Browning from Ogilvie, MB. They married on September 7, 1957 and they lived in Winnipeg for five years. In 1963, they bought the John White farm at Ogilvie and actively farmed there until 1999. They raised three children on the farm - Maurice, Brenda and Darren. Jack was proud of the lives his children built. Maurice was the farmer of the family and took on more of the operation as Jack semi-retired. Jack and Jean continued to live on the farm until 2016 when they moved into a duplex in Gladstone. Jack was always a busy man. Operating a livestock and grain farm with the family meant long hours. He took a diesel mechanics course and did most of his own repairs and maintenance. He did lots of welding to keep the equipment together. Jean would cringe when she saw him head across the yard with a chainsaw knowing that a home reno project was due. The cousins were always welcome visitors to the farm for a little farm education. It must have rubbed off on Gail as she ended up marrying a farm boy and made a life of farming. Jack was a longtime Elks member and also belonged to the Legion. He enjoyed curling, and he loved to hunt, fish and camp. Jack and Jean have many fond memories of their travels in the motorhome from one coast to the other. Jack could spend hours with a line in the water waiting for one more bite. He always enjoyed the company of good neighbours. As grandchildren and great-grandchildren came into his life, he spent many hours with them and passed on his love of nature and fishing. Jack was an avid gardener. He loved planting hundreds of tomato plants, flowers and pretty much anything. He was always rigging up something to try and outsmart the raccoons to keep them out of his corn patch. He loved nature and being outdoors. He always had a bird feeder set up in the winter that he had to chase the squirrels away from. He made sure Jean had fresh flowers on the table all summer. He really enjoyed woodworking and working with his hands. After moving into town, Jack planted pots of flowers and vegetables on his patio. He made frequent trips out to Ogilvie to supervise Maurice's farming operation and check out the deer population. Jack will be truly missed by his wife of 60 years, Jean; his children, Maurice McLarty (Nel), Brenda Fisher (Brent) and Darren McLarty (Shelley); his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Aaron McLarty (Pam), Ryker, Stephen McLarty (Kathy), River and Nathan, and Jill McLarty, Dustin Fisher (Chantal), Avery and Lucas, Kelly Fisher (Alyssa) and Greg, Taylor and Matthew McLarty; brothers, Don (Marlene), Keith (Margaret) and 16 nieces and nephews. Jack was predeceased by his parents, Neil and Edith McLarty; sisters, baby Jean and Ruth Sans; brother-in-law Walter Sans; brother Bill McLarty; and sister-in-law Marjorie McLarty. The family would like to thank Dr. Milligan, nurses and staff of the Neepawa Health Centre for the care and support Jack received while he was there. They would also like to thank friends and family for the phone calls, cards, visits, goodies and show of support. "The idea is not to live forever, but to create something that will." - Andy Warhol A private family interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Neepawa at a later date. Clarke's Funeral Home, Gladstone~MacGregor www.clarkesfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 12, 2018