LYLE DAVIS

1944 - 2007

Lyle Davis of Vauxhall, beloved father, husband, friend and devoted son, passed away on Thursday, May 24, 2007 at the age of 63 years.
Lyle was born in 1944 to Edna and Earl Davis. He was raised in Vauxhall on the family farm and was the apple of his mother’s eye. He actively participated in all sports including basketball and baseball with the Vauxhall Jets. He was offered a baseball scholarship with Brigham Young University in Utah. He excelled in High School Curling. He graduated from Vauxhall High School in 1962 as Class President and Valedictorian.
He married Barbara Demchuk, high school sweetheart, daughter of Olga and Harry from Vauxhall. Kevin (partner Christine) was born in 1964 and Rhonda (partner Tim) was born in 1971. Lyle and Barb moved to Lethbridge where Lyle had Ace Building Supplies and Presidential Homes - glass shop, truss plant and prefab homes.
Lyle’s Dad Earl and Grandfather Sam passed away in 1981. Lyle returned to the family farm in Vauxhall.
He married Valerie Ross, originally a Vauxhall girl, daughter of Irene and Jackie Ross. He moved to Calgary and was involved in real estate business. Grayson was born in 1985 and Jacqueline (partner Clint Pierson of Vauxhall) in 1986. Jacqueline and Clint purchased Grandmother Edna’s home so it is still in the family.
In 1988, Valerie and Lyle purchased Radium Valley Vacation Resort. They moved to Radium in 1992 where the children were raised amid the luxuries of a world class resort with swimming pools, tennis, golf and skiing. The family business with construction, management, sales and marketing was operated with Valerie, Lyle and Kevin.
Edna passed away in 2002. Lyle returned to Vauxhall but worked once again in the lumber industry in Southern Alberta, Red Deer and Lacombe until his unexpected passing. Lyle through this time, became good friends with Phyllis Louise Thompson and her children Randy, Erin and Adam.
Throughout Lyle’s active life, he maintained his passion of curling. He assisted Ray Kingsmith to introduce curling to the Olympics as a demonstrator sport. This was approved, of course. He supported Junior Curling and participated in Farmers Curling. He played super league in Cranbrook on Tuesdays, Calgary on Wednesdays and Lethbridge on Thursdays. The bonspiels started on Fridays, qualifers were on Sundays, with playoffs on Mondays. In between all the curling he would say “Lets go for coffee”. His team won the Canadian Mixed in 1979. In curling circles he was known as “Tapback”.
He captured the competitive gentleman sport in the grand spirit of the game.
Lyle was the President of the Lethbridge Curling Club; President of Southern Alberta Curling Association; President Alberta Men’s Curling Council. He attended Briers across the country from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island and made friends in every city in every province along the way. Lyle was well known and loved.
He is survived by: three sisters, Ann Harding of Calgary, Donna (Marvin) Blaney of Sherwood Park and Wendy (Randy) of Westbank, B.C. and also numerous nieces and nephews; two grandchildren, Valerie and Kyle; cousins, Jean Valgardson, Brenda Steele, Pat and Mike Sakatch; Aunt Joan Claeys; cousins Lynn, Sheryl, Connie, Nancy and Randy.
He is now returned to his Grandmother Martin, Grandfather Sam, Father Earl and two Moms Edna and Irene. He is probably driving them around Heaven right now.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Monday, May 28, 2007 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service will be held at the Vauxhall Mennonite Brethren Church, 320 - 9 Street North, Vauxhall on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 2:00 P.M. with Alanna Johnson officiating. Burial to follow at the Vauxhall Cemetery.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Lyle’s name may be made directly to the Southern Alberta Curling Association, Junior Curling, 720-3 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N9 or to the Southeast Rebels, Box 84, Vauxhall, Alberta T0K 2K0.