Jack Darson

June 15, 1940 - March 19, 2011Mr. Jack Anthony Darson, whom was born and raised in Thunder Bay, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away at 70 years young in the Winnipeg Health Science Centre on March 19th, 2011. Jack was born on June 15th, 1940, the only son of Leo and Anna Darson. As a child, growing up on his grandpa's farm on Hilldale Road began to mould him into the hardworking and dedicated man he became. But Jack always said that his life never really began until 1977. On April 20th, 1979 Jack married his true love and angel, Linda Hordy, at the Arthur Street courthouse in the pouring rain. Yet this day was always fondly remembered by his dear mother Anna as a beautiful sunny day. From that day forth Jack dedicated his life to his wife and in the future, his family. As anyone who had the good fortune of being close to Jack knew that there were two sides to his coin, no one brought the finest out of Jack as did Linda. The love that was shared between them was breathtaking, from the love letters he would write from their puppy Corky and later Pebbles to their mommy in every special occasion card that passed, to getting worried and lonely if she snuck past him with the laundry basket and made it downstairs out of his sight for only a few minutes. Through the years Jack had many different employers and job titles but most centered around the public as even in his youth the salesman in him was slowly emerging. From working for a tailor selling suits, to produce and eventually produce manager at A&P, to sales clerk and eventual store manager at Drug World. Though it wasn't until Jack got his feet wet in the car business as a car salesman at Kam Motors that he finally found his niche. (Also coincidentally enough where a cute little receptionist named Linda caught his eye). After a 10 year run there he felt the need for a change, and tried his hand working the railway and then the elevators for short stints. But once a salesman, always a salesman, and Jack was one of the best so he could not stay away for long. Jack saw the ad for used car salesman in the newspaper for Lakehead Motors, walked in the door and Used Car Jack was born. After running the board for about six months, he was given a shot at Used Car Manager and never looked back. Over time he graduated to General Manager until his retirement in 2008. After being idle for 2 months, with no blades of grass left to cut and a wife at the end of her nerve, good 'ole Jack realized retirement was not for him and took a job as shuttle driver for Enterprise to keep his mind busy and his marriage intact. Once again though, a salesman is a salesman and Jack again gravitated to the car business with a part time sales job with long time friend and colleague Gary Renaud at Gary's Auto Sales. All that being said, Jack's greatest accomplishment in his life was the birth of his son, Derek. Derek and his Dad spent many hours in the big back yard together, from playing in the pool, in the tree house, or going fishing and collecting grasshoppers on their canoe rides in the summer, to flooding the rink in the yard or shovelling the snow off the river to go skating in the winter. Because of his long hours, Friday nights were guys night out. Whether it was a movie, going to the arcade, or taking a whole loaf of bread to the marina to feed the seagulls. The Second greatest moment in his life was the day Derek and Tammy made him and Linda Grandparents. He would always bring up that phone call from Derek telling him that his precious grandson Devyn had finally arrived. It was music to his ears when his little Devyn would come over (and Jack would be wearing his favourite Grandpa sweater) and Devyn would call him Papa. Jack was very proud of the great son, husband and father his little boy grew up to be. Jack Darson is survived by his wife Linda, son Derek, daughter in law Tammy, grandson Devyn, granddaughters Danisha and Laurisa, father in law Joe Hordy, mother in law Vera Hordy, brother in law Rick Hordy, sister in law Sharon Wintermute, brother in law Earl Wintermute, niece and nephews, very good family friend Eugene Early and also puppy Pebbles. Jack Darson was predeceased by his father Leo Darson, mother Anna Darson, puppy Corky and puppy Sheba. As per Jack's wishes cremation has taken place with no service to follow. Any donations to be made in his memory can be made to a charity of choice. In lieu of flowers, simply turn and kiss the loved one closest to you as you never know if it will be the last."If tears could build a stairway, And memories a lane,I'd walk right up to Heaven, And bring you home again."