It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mr. Howard ‘Wayne’ Hunt at Rimbey, Alberta on Thursday, February 13, 2020 at the age of 78 years. Wayne was born on April 9, 1941 in Rimbey, Alberta, to Fred and Eliza Hunt of Hoadley. He began to work at sixteen years old; starting out as a carpenter’s helper, then to a sawmill out at Nordegg. When Wayne was offered a job on the Oil Rigs he said, “I don’t know anything about Oil Rigs, how much does it pay?” Ted Stout said $2.10 per hour. Wayne replied, “I’ll learn.” He spent the next few years working rigs or driving trucks. In 1966, Wayne and Pat Willows were married and moved to Peace River. That winter, Wayne drove water trucks for the rigs in Rainbow Lake. In the spring of 1967, Wayne, Pat and Ron moved to Chetwynd, British Columbia, and Wayne hauled water at the Hudson Hope Dam. For two more winters, he would go back to Rainbow Lake and the summers would be spent in the Interior of British Columbia, working on Road Construction. In the spring of 1969, when Wayne, Pat, Ron and Leeann moved back to Nakusp, British Columbia, he said he would never go back to Rainbow Lake. Wayne stuck to his word and began looking for work in Nakusp. He got a job driving Logging Trucks. The flatlander had a few lessons to learn about mountain hauling; and the stories that were told about his experiences are still being told by the old drivers. Wayne became one of the best off-road drivers; enjoying it so much that he bought the old blue Hayes and started his own logging company. After a year of little work, because of striking Union Workers, he sold his equipment and bought his parents farm, at Hoadley. Wayne farmed and worked Road Construction, until 1994. He, Pat and Darin moved to Creston, British Columbia and bought Creston Outdoor Power; where he soon became known for his honesty and good quality work. Wayne retired in 2007 and for the next few years, did some traveling; one year driving across Canada to visit his Aunt Kae who was ninety plus years old. A car accident in 2011 changed Wayne’s life forever. After several years of therapy, he accepted the fact that he would never regain the use of his left hand. Difficult as it was, there were still many things he could do with one hand. In 2016, Wayne, the man who did not plan for anything, planned a trip to Hawaii as a surprise Christmas present for Pat. This trip became a yearly tradition for the next four years. In 2019, his health began to decline. Outings to Dairy Queen, with Doug and Deb, had always been one of his favourite things to do. On December 22, 2019 a trip to Dairy Queen, and touring the town’s Christmas lights, would be his last enjoyable adventure, as his health began to decline rapidly. Wayne and Pat moved back to Rimbey on January 24, 2020 and Wayne passed away peacefully at home on February 13, 2020. He will be lovingly remembered by his adoring wife of fifty-three years, Pat Hunt of Creston, and family: Ron and Tanya of Hoadley, Leeann and Murray of Calgary, Darin of Creston, Cole of Red Deer, Kelsey and Kelton of Rimbey and Travis of Hoadley. He will also be deeply missed by his brothers and sisters, Daryl and Caroline of Rimbey, Gordon and Jackie of Nanaimo, Gayle and Dave of Taber, Sharon and John of Salmon Arm; as well as many friends and extended family. A Celebration of Wayne’s Life will be held at the Hoadley Community Hall, Hoadley, Alberta on Thursday, April 9, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. A Celebration will also be held in Creston, at a later date. If desired, Memorial Donations in Wayne’s honor may be made directly to the Hoadley Community Cemetery, Hoadley, Alberta.

Arrangements in care of:

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer),

6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER.

• Date : 2020-02-21
• Location : www.ParklandFuneralHome.com