Mr. Smiley Douglas passed away quietly at his residence, at Extendicare Michener Hill, Red Deer on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at the age of 93 years. Smiley was born in Red Deer, Alberta on February 29, 1928. His parents emigrated from Northern Ireland, through the Soldier Settlement Board, in 1925, settling in the Innisfail-Red Deer area. Smiley attended school at Westlyn and Willowdale Schools. He had his first summer job haying for Fairbanks Dobson when he was eleven, and finished school to work at Wrights Dairy Farm at fourteen years of age, to help pay the bills at home. In 1947, the family moved to the Cumberland Area; where Smiley and his brother, Jim rented the Oxland Farm. Smiley went to work for the Lawrence Brothers (Sabre Ranch) to help make ends meet, and met his best friend, Sam Glover. It was during this time that Smiley began dating Rose Beckingsale. In 1950, he joined the P.P.C.L.I. 2nd Battalion, and on November 25, 1950, he was shipped out, as part of the British Commonwealth Brigade, to the Korean Conflict. On April 25, 1951, Smiley was injured trying to save members of “B” Company that had entered onto a mine field, and he was awarded ‘The Military Medal’ for his actions. After a lengthy convalescence, Smiley came back to Pine Lake and returned to work with the Lawrence’s. On August 28, 1953, Smiley and Rose were married at the Pine Lake Church, living in a small house in “the Sloughs” at Ben Lawrence’s. In 1954, they purchased a crawler tractor and a 16’ holiday trailer. They lived and worked in the Rocky Mountain House Area building roads. Late in 1954, they bought the Charles Dairy Farm in the Howells Lake Area. They continued to live in the small trailer, while renovations were being done to the old house, but in the middle of February, the weather turned cold and they were forced to move into the unfinished house in the dead of night. Smiley farmed and continued to do local Cat work, and work at the Bowden Institute; choosing to farm full time when his children started to arrive. Smiley continued to manage his Mixed Farm, until failing health prompted him to retire to Red Deer. In 2005, Smiley was appointed as Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of 749 (Red Deer) Communication Squadron. Smiley was known for his infectious laugh, his community involvement, and for his cut-through the B.S. opinion. Smiley will be lovingly remembered by his four children, Smiley Jr. (Lynne), Paddy (Karin), Garry and Bonny (Ken), eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He will also be sadly missed by his brother and close friend, Jim Douglas. Smiley was predeceased by his wife, Rose, a brother, Bay (Archy William) Douglas, and his sisters, Nancy Carr and Lily Watson. A Private Funeral Service will be held with a Celebration of Smiley’s Life to follow in 2021.If desired, Memorial Donations in Smiley’s honor may be made directly to the C.H.A.M.P Program, 2827 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1V 0K4, or to champ@waramps.ca. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street Innisfail, Alberta.
Phone: 403.227.0006 Fax: 403.227.6437

• Date : 2021-03-24
• Location : www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com - Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre