RICE - Gordon Haydon went home to his eternal reward on August 5, 2006, at the age of ninety-three. Gordon was born in Saskatoon and raised, and later farmed, in the Eagle Creek and Asquith districts. He married Nancy Fairbrother in 1934 and together they had five children. Gordon went to British Columbia to work at various jobs to support his young family during the depression years. Nancy passed away in 1948. In 1952 Gordon married Doris Draper and they had three children together. Doris passed away in 2003. Gordon was predeceased by his two wives; his brother, Russell Rice; his son-in-law, Neil Davidson; and his great-grandson, Jesse Friesen. He is survived by his brother, Howard (Dorothy) Rice; his children, Ken (Dot) Rice, Shirley (Dale) Friesen, Bud (Donna) Rice, Keith Rice, Denny (Sharon) Rice, Lynne Davidson (Woody Busby), Barry (Peggy) Rice, and Janice (Brad) Rawlyk; twenty grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; and two greatgreat grandchildren. Gordon farmed with his sons Ken and Bud and together they received many provincial dairy awards. He enjoyed yearly fishing trips with Mac Summach and Everett Young. For twenty-five years Gordon was a weather observer for Environment Canada. After his retirement he and Doris enjoyed several bus tours throughout North America. Gordon remained strong and vital throughout his eighties and lived alone in his own home until just after his ninety-third birthday. A service honoring Gordon's life will be held at the Asquith Baptist Church on Thursday, August 10 at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Percy Keith officiating. A Private Family Interment Service will take place in the family plot at Asquith Cemetery, Asquith, SK. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gordon's favorite charity the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 20 Hopewell Way NE, Calgary AB, T3J 5H5. Arrangements entrusted to Greg Lalach of PARK FUNERAL CHAPEL, 244-2103.
Published in Saskatoon StarPhoenix from Aug. 8 to Aug. 9, 2006.