John Douglas (Jack) Pratt
May 17, 1935 – December 22, 2016
John Douglas Pratt – known to all as Jack – was born in Fairview, Alberta on May 17, 1935, the oldest of Raymond and Thelma Pratt’s 10 children. Jack grew up on a farm in the Highland Park district on the bank of the Peace River and took his first 9 years of school in the Highland Park country school house before boarding in Fairview to attend high school. He had many stories of those growing up years – stories of adventures with his siblings, his many cousins and life on a small farm miles from town. Jack loved the farm life and chose to work with his Dad and Grandfather as well as claim his own homestead after high school graduation. In 1961, Jack relocated his family of five to Didsbury where he farmed with his father-in-law, Crosby Archer, and later with his son, Doug. After losing his first wife, Joyce (Archer) in 1984, Jack found love again with Joyce Buckell, a long time neighbour and friend of the family. They were married on April 2, 1988 and a few years later retired to Torrington where they made many new friends and became active participants in the life of the community. Although Jack always loved farming and puttering around in his yard at Torrington, he had many interests and would visit with anyone about anything. He loved the opportunities to go camping and fishing with friends and family. Having learned to dance early in life, he and Joyce spent many enjoyable days and evenings square dancing, meeting new people and often traveling all over the province. They were fans of old style country music and had tickets for the Big Valley Jamboree every year. And only a couple of weeks before he died, they thoroughly enjoyed riding the CP Christmas train from Didsbury to Airdrie. Jack was predeceased by his parents; first wife Joyce; brothers Ted Pratt and Rollie Pratt; sisters Lillian Pratt and Ruth Page as well as several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and cousins. Between them, Jack and Joyce have nine children who mourn his loss: Doug (Angela) Pratt of Didsbury, Darlene Kroetsch of Airdrie, Gail (Larry) Atkinson of Didsbury, Karen (Les) Holloway of Castor, Connie Buckell of Red Deer, Allen (Norma) Buckell of Airdrie, Gerry (Paul) Myshaniuk of Sherwood Park, Anne (Larry) Braun of Calgary and Verna Becker of Didsbury; 17 grandchildren and their spouses; 17 great- grandchildren. He also leaves sisters Gwen (Henry) Moskalyk of Fairview, Mary (Ron) Walker of Heisler, Jean (Richard) Rafferty of Peace River, Vivian (Pete) Woolsey of Spirit River; brother Bill (Cecile) Pratt of 100 Mile House, as well as many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other family members and a large circle of friends. Funeral services were held on Thursday December 29, 2016 at Zion Evangelical Missionary Church, Didsbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to S.T.A.R.S. Air Ambulance or Torrington Lions Club. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Olds entrusted with arrangements. 403-507-8610 www.heartlandfuneralservices.com