​Boulter: John “Jock” Lawrence, August 27, 1927 - October 23, 2018

A life of CN trains, farming, curling, baseball and hockey.

With great sadness we announce the death of John “Jock” Lawrence Boulter October 23, 2018, at the Hanna Hospital.

Jock was born in Acadia Valley August 27, 1927, the fourth child of Aaron and Anna Boulter. In the early ’30s the family moved to a farm north of Oyen. His school was 2½ miles away: in good weather Jock would walk, and in the winter a horse pulled him on a toboggan. In the late ’30s they moved to the Fairacres district where the family got their first tractor and combine. Jock became the janitor of the Fairacres School, each morning having to start the wood-coal pot-belly stove and haul in the drinking water, earning about 75 cents per week.

After Jock finished high school in Oyen, he went to work at the Peyton School, located 10 miles south of Chinook. Many weekends Jock would walk that 10 miles to Chinook to attend dances, play hockey or baseball, walking back early Monday morning to be back at work.

In 1947, he was hired by CN to be the night assistant agent at Rosedale. Later that year he moved to Cereal to be the night assistant there, learning the morse code required to telegraph CN messages. It was in Cereal that he offered a young lady, Esther Olsen, a ride on his motorcycle, and their 70 year romance started. Jock and Esther married June 1, 1951.

Their married life started out in Jarrow, Alberta and they lived in several different communities over the years. They moved to Alsask, Saskatchewan, then to Mantario, Saskatchewan. In 1953, they moved to Sibbald, where Sharon, Ken, and Judy were born in Oyen hospital.

In 1961, they moved to Youngstown and in 1965 when CN closed the station they moved to Marengo, Saskatchewan. In 1972, with another CN Station closure, they moved to Hanna where Jock took the position of Transportation Service Rep for CN until his retirement in 1985.

Jock and Esther were active members of all communities they lived in. Jock looked after the ice for curling and hockey rinks, maintained the ball diamonds, and they both drove school bus.

Jock always had a passion for farming. He started out farming land north of Oyen, selling that and then purchasing land north and east of Hanna. In 1994, he sold all his farm land and went into full retirement. Jock purchased a patch of land just east of Hanna at Bonar and each year he planted a garden of veggies, the potatoes were the best ever and pumpkins that would weigh over 50 pounds.

Jock and Esther made many trips to Las Vegas to get away from the cold Alberta winters. They enjoyed curling and playing golf. They both enjoyed old time music and together they danced many miles over the years.

The family would like to thank Dr. Fortna for all she did for Dad. She went above and beyond with her support, honesty and compassion. We also want to extend our gratitude to all the nurses and support staff at the Hanna hospital, they were all wonderful and we can’t thank them enough. Thanks to Home Care’s nursing staff and Helping Hands for your help and support under such difficult circumstances. We also would like to acknowledge our relatives and friends for all their love and support.

Jock was predeceased by his parents Anna and Aaron Boulter; two brothers Ralph and Fred; brothers-in-law Chester, Clifford, Bud, and Hank Olsen; and sisters-in-law Olena Peacock and Rosie Olsen.

Jock was survived by and blessed with his loving wife Esther for over 67 years; children Sharon (Bob) Crowe,  Ken (Shelley) Boulter, Judy (Wayne) May; five grandchildren Trevor (Gloria) Crowe, Brooke (Cam) Waldbauer, Aaron (Katrina) Boulter, Drake May, and Katrina May; three great granddaughters Brittney Crowe,  Brooklynn Boulter, and Grace Waldbauer; two sisters Joan Tullikopf and Mic Smyth-King, both of Three Hills; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many good friends.

Jock was laid to rest October 26, 2018 at a private family service held at the Cereal Cemetery.

Friends and family are invited to share in a reflection of Jock’s life at 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 16 in the Hanna Community Centre.

Memorial tributes in Jock’s memory may be made to the Hanna Hospital Ladies Auxiliary at the Hanna Health Centre, Box 730, Hanna, Alberta, T0J 1P0.

MacLean’s Funeral Home of Oyen, Alberta in care of arrangements.