Mr. Gordon John McLarty, born on January 18, 1935 in Coronation, Alberta, passed away at the Coronation Long Term Care on Monday, May 25, 2020 at the age of 85 years. This is a quote from a family history book:

“I am told that when my mother and father, Jack and Ella McLarty, got the “good” news from the doctor that I was on the way, they arrived home to find that they had been totally hailed out. This was the summer of 1934, so when I arrived in January of 1935, my baby clothes were made of any piece of cloth my mom could get her hands on. In spite of flour sack diapers and grey blankets, I had a happy childhood, growing up with two sisters, Jean and Janet and brother, Errol.”

Gordon grew up in the Silver Heights Area. His mom and dad bought the Silver Heights Store and lived and worked there for ten years. Gordon received his schooling at Silver Heights, Aberdovey, Brownfield and his High School at the Camrose Lutheran College. He was a basketball star at Camrose, Captain of his Team and coached the Girl’s Team. In the Camrose Yearbook, there is a quote by his name “McLarty tops at basketball, in fact, at any sport. He studies and does homework only at last resort.” After High School, he worked on the oil rigs, until 1959, when he married Shirley Kristiansen, from Czar. They made their home on the farm, at Silver Heights. His dad, Jack McLarty, had passed away in 1955, so Gordon became responsible for the farming. Their four children were born while on the farm, Lynette, Ralph, Charlene and Keith. Farming was tough and in 1971, he became the Manager of the Coronation Seed Cleaning Plant, and the family moved to Coronation. Gordon managed it from 1971 to 1976, and again from 1981 to 1999. In 1995, a new Seed Cleaning Plant was built, and in 1999, Gordon retired. The five years in between, he went into the Mobile Home Business with Howard McMullen. Gordon loved all sports. He played basketball, baseball and hockey. Gordon also enjoyed sports on TV, and it wasn’t uncommon for him to watch and listen to several games at a time, flipping the TV stations back and forth, and have the radio on too. Gordon and Shirley have been very active members of the United Church. He was a great community person: he served on the Town Council for twenty-one years, and as the Mayor for eight of them. In 2007, Gordon was honoured to receive a Distinguished Service Award from the AUMA. He was a volunteer Fire Fighter, Ambulance Driver, Handi-Bus Driver, Kinsmen and Lions, just to name a few. Gordon knew and enjoyed people from all these connections. In his retirement, he enjoyed being part of the planning and building of the Coronation Community Centre, which opened in 2005. Gordon loved his family and supported all their varied activities. Community and sports events were a highlight. Sundays and holidays were family time, and many hours were spent visiting relatives and friends. It was a hard decision for the family in 2015, to move Gordon into the Coronation Long Term Care; where he lived until his passing. Gordon will be lovingly remembered by his wife of sixty-one years, Shirley; son, Keith; daughters, Lynette and Charlene (Gordon); grandchildren, Jeff (Steph), Erin (Ian) and Kari (Mark) and his great grandchildren, Finn, Mauven, Claire and Nolan. He will also be remembered by his sister, Jean Bridge; sisters-in-law, Kay McLarty, Marg (Art) Eeles and Linda (Don) Thompson; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends. Gordon was predeceased by son, Ralph; sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Jim Bay; brother, Errol McLarty; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Tom and Phyllis Flynn, Arvid and Betty and Betha Kristiansen, Stan Bridge; nephew, Darcy Flynn and niece, Kathy Kristiansen. If desired, Memorial Donations in Gordon’s honor may be made directly to the CHC Foundation, designated to Long Term Care, PO Box 500, Coronation, Alberta, T0C 1C0; to the Trinity United Church, Box 369, Coronation, Alberta T0C 1C0; or to a charity of the donor’s choice. A Private Family Service will be held. Due to Covid-19 Gathering Restrictions, for all others who would like to view the Service, it will be available on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. by Live Streaming at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Please click on link for Mr. Gordon McLarty, and then click on the Live Stream, under the Tab Photos and Videos. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.coronationfuneralhome.ca. Arrangements in care of Coronation Funeral Home, Coronation, Alberta. Phone: 403.578.2928.

• Date : 2020-06-08
• Location : www.coronationfuneralhome.ca