WEBSTER, Douglas Bruce
1944 TO 2013
Doug passed away in the loving arms of his family on December 1st, 2013, at the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster B.C. He courageously fought a brief battle but left us too soon. Doug will be forever missed by his immediate family in Vancouver: loving wife Rose; son Nelson (Keiko) and grandchildren Emma and Tysei; daughter Shauna (Manny) and grandchildren Joshua and Isabella. Grieving in Alberta are: brother Allen from Leduc, (sister-in-law Sylvia passed away July 12th, 2013); sister Joan (Bob Weder) from Turner Valley; Doug's special friend and just like a brother, Terry Swick (Yvonne) from Edmonton; nieces and nephews and their families: Laurie, Larry, David, Darcy and many cousins. Doug was predeceased by his Mother and Father, Lloyd and June Webster. Born in Big Valley, Alberta on February 7th, 1944 Doug was raised on the OVT ranch south of Big Valley, and grew up with brother Allen and sister Joan. Together they had many happy years on the ranch. Doug loved playing cowboys and Indians and to dress up in old army clothing and play war, but there were chores to be attended to as well. When Doug was 15 he played saxophone in a dance band called "Big Valley Hot Shots" with band members Larry Klaus, Buster Watts, Marlene Tipmen, Arthur Price, Diane Price and band leader Mrs. Price, all from Big Valley. Playing for dances all over the country side, they were very popular. Attending Big Valley School from grade 1 through grade 12, Doug graduated in 1962, and then worked part time for Carnwood Wireline Services before going to SAIT in Calgary. He graduated in Merchandising Administration and Business Management and was the recipient of a Scholastic "Award of Excellence" from United Dairies Limited. Working for the Hudson Bay, he had a successful 39 year career as a store manager in Calgary, Red Deer, Kelowna, and in Vancouver, his last year in Victoria starting up their new store. Retiring from the Bay, he began a new adventure as a consultant for the Bay in Shanghai, where he lived for 6 years, visiting home often. Throughout Doug's life he would visit his parents on the ranch and spend happy days with his children and their cousins riding horses, driving tractors and the old truck "the War Wagon". Doug was involved in a family ranching operation with his mother, brother and sister. He would visit Big Valley and help with the cattle and fencing or whatever chore was to be done, a wonderful family time for Doug. Always an adventurer, looking for new ideas, new products, or new places to go, Doug was a business man. During his professional career, Doug was actively involved in Rotary where he enjoyed helping others and contributing back to the community. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday January 25th, 2014, 2:00 p.m. at the Big Valley Jubilee Hall, reception to follow. Interment will be at a later date in Big Valley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Big Valley Historical Society, Box 342, Big Valley, AB, T0J 0G0.