Obituary of Tom Coulter

COULTER Mr. Thomas William, age 77 years of Abbey, Saskatchewan passed away on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at his farm. At Tom’s request there will be no funeral service. Tom is survived by his wife, Sylvia; his son, Jim (Elenor) Coulter; his daughter, Heather (Ernie) Camphaug; grandchildren: Ashley (Jeannie) Coulter and their three children, Ashton, Zander and Jessie; as well as Kyler, Kale and Klanci Camphaug. He is also survived by one brother, Jack (Eve) Marlin; his brother-in-law, Bud (Eileen) Alstad; one sister-in-law, Carol Tulloch; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Tom was predeceased by his parents, Sam and Mary Coulter; his father-in-law, Gus Alstad; mother-in-law, Erma Ender; one brother, Barry Robertson; sister-in-law, Elvira Lesko; and brother-in-law, Bill Tulloch. Tom was born in Swift Current on September 6, 1931. He spent his entire life on the family farm west of Shackleton. He married his best friend, Sylvia Alstad, on March 29, 1956. Jim was born in November 1957 and Heather in February 1960. He was our biggest supporter and would tell anyone who would listen just exactly what we were doing and where we were doing it. It was only fitting that when the grandchildren started to arrive he just switched gears right on over to them. He was so proud of them all and loved the time he got to spend with them. He left them with so many good memories. Tom drove school bus until Jim and Heather graduated from school. He then worked at the Salt Plant south of Cabri and for a local farmer until he started as a livestock inspector. This was a job that he really enjoyed. Even after he retired in 1999 he kept in touch with the many friends he made there. After retirement he and Mom spent endless hours working in their yard, growing a huge garden with straight rows, and they both enjoyed the bus trips they often took to various casinos. Next to family Dad’s greatest love was his horses. He was truly an old horse trader. When he was younger he enjoyed being involved in horse racing and rodeos. He also, along with help from Mom, started breaking and training barrel horses. He knew exactly what bloodlines he wanted in his horses and he was so excited when he finally got that sought after “Black” Colt that he had been trying to get for years. He spent countless hours with his horses, and whenever anyone stopped for coffee, they were treated to a tour of them. He was proud of what he had accomplished, it had taken him years to get the broodmares and stud that he wanted. Although it was one of our saddest days, Dad died exactly where he would have wanted – down with his horses with Mom close by. Memorial donations may be made to the Ladies Auxiliary at the Prairie Health Care Centre in Cabri, SK. Arrangements were entrusted to Parkside Memorial Funeral Home, Swift Current, Saskatchewan.