Donald Allen Smith -- my dad

  Don Smith of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 24, 2016 at the age of 84 years, following a long and well-lived life.

Don, Glen, Lynne, and Bob

Donald Allen Smith was born at home on Sec 33, Tp 50, Rge 20, W 3rd near Mervin, Saskatchewan, on October 11, 1931; the eldest son of Walter Smith and Gladys Waite. Don and his family moved from Mervin to North Battleford, Saskatchewan, in 1944, where Don was active in the Sea Cadets, the Kinsman Band, various sports, singing in a quartet and choir, and playing for dances. He worked in the farm implement business for five years before attending the University of Saskatchewan, where he graduated with a BSC in Geological Engineering in 1958. During his time at university he participated in various musicals, sports, and student activities.

Dad & Mom - 56th anniversary

Fishing became an annual pastime.

 Don met Shirley Lockerbie at a musical event, while he was attending university, and they were married in 1959. She truly was the love of his life. Upon graduation, he joined Sun Oil as a junior geologist and spent the next twenty-nine years with Sun Oil and Suncor. His job took him to Regina and Estevan, Saskatchewan, Wonowon and Dawson Creek, British Columbia, and Dallas, Texas, with the majority of his career spent in Calgary. Don retired in 1987 as Suncor’s Executive Vice President, where he oversaw all Canadian exploration and production. He thoroughly enjoyed his career. Retirement lasted only a month before he took the position of Vice President Team '88 Services with the Calgary Olympic Committee, an exciting and enjoyable job. This job ceased when the Olympics was done, after which Don and son Dave, also a geologist, had a small consulting company, D-Two Resources, for a number of years.

One of many genealogy library visits.

Don and Shirley loved travelling, and visited over sixty countries and every continent, except Antarctica. For the past twenty years, they spent portion of every year in Victoria, British Columbia, where they spent time with their daughter, Karen, and her family. Don’s family had always been the highlight of his life. He also loved the outdoors, and enjoyed daily walks, golf, and scenic country drives. After retirement, he was an avid genealogist, and researched family history with his daughter, Kelli. He enjoyed fishing, and over the years shared time salmon fishing on the West Coast with every family member. Family was Don’s passion, and he engaged in meaningful and ongoing activities with each person. Don and Shirley arranged a wonderful family trip to Kenya in 2009 to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

 Don is survived by his loving wife Shirley, their children, Kelli and son-in-law, Doug Taylor, David and daughter-in-law, Emma Smith, of Calgary, Karen and son-in-law, Jeff Smith of Victoria; Grandchildren, Jasper, Finlay, Dylan, Rachelle, Braedon, Teagan, and Aiden; Brothers, Lynne and sister-in-law, Marie, Robert and sister-in-law, Karen; Sister-in-law, Marion Smith; Brother-in-law, David (Orla) Lockerbie; as well as extended family and friends. Don was predeceased by his parents, and his brother, Glen.

Dad and I at his favourite corner table at the condo in Victoria.

Full obituary and condolence messages: http://www.mhfh.com/smith-donald-allen/