Larry Weatherhead
1938 - 2022
Lawrence Howard Weatherhead of Burdett and 40 Mile Park, passed away peacefully at his cabin surrounded by his family on Sunday, March 20, 2022 at the age of 83 years.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet with Larry’s family at the Burdett Community Hall, 311 Main Street, Burdett on Saturday, March 26, 2022 between 2:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. A private burial will take place at the Burdett Cemetery.
In keeping with Larry’s wishes, a celebration of Larry and Mavis’ lives is being planned for this summer at Forty Mile Park, details will be shared closer to the date.
Larry is survived by his daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren Shannon (Kelly) McCoy of Coaldale and children Bret (Danica) and Spencer (Jordan); Michele (Ron) Smith of Maple Ridge, British Columbia and children Connor, Meghan and Meranda; Tami (Burke) Torscher of Taber and children Blake (Jen), Logan and Carson; Jodi (Mark) Albrecht of Medicine Hat and children Jade (Colton), Krystin (Brandon) and Teah (Gage); as well as his newest pride, great grandsons Luca and Noah and baby to be, Owen. He is also survived by his sisters Shirley Stensrud, Jean (Ivan) Eriksen, Arlene Pool, Carol Weatherhead and Sherry (Don) Drake; sister-in-law Marilyn Weatherhead as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Larry was predeceased by his beloved wife Mavis; parents Clarence and May Weatherhead; two brothers Earl and Dale Weatherhead; brothers-in-law Adrien Stensrud, Ross Poole and Brian Gooding; sisters-in-law Maureen Corraini and Shirley Bechamp.
On August 22, 1938, Clarence and May Weatherhead welcomed their little boy into the world not knowing what kind of impact he would have on so many lives. An impish boy growing up in Burdett, he had a life-long gift for entertaining and being there for his family, friends and even strangers, whom he left with lasting impressions. After his schooling, he went to work for his family business, helping to grow it into a three store dealership that continues to thrive under new ownership. He fell in love with a beautiful nurse who came to work at Bow Island’s new hospital and married her on September 23, 1959. They raised their four daughters and taught them the importance of family first, kindness, and community. He was thrilled to finally get some boys when his sons-in-law came along. Larry and Mavis were friends to many and loved their life together until Mavis passed on December 26, 2019.
Larry enjoyed helping out in his parents’ hardware store. In early adulthood (1958), he left college after a fire burned down the family business to help rebuild. Eventually, this collaboration with his parents became Green Power, a three store franchise, the second oldest dealership in western Canada. Larry won many awards and trips, but was most proud of winning the Bill Lipsey Merit Award for Dealer of the Year in 2003. Green Power won Business of the Year in Taber in 2005.
Larry could sell anything and thrived selling his John Deeres. He could quote models, part numbers, and favourite customer phone numbers, even fifty years later, long after he retired. He made deals with a handshake and a promise to settle up “when you can” was as good as a contract. He was always true to his word and many farmers relied upon his help when things were tough. The employees at Green Power over the years became part of his family. One in particular, Terry (Debbie) Sargent, was like a son to Larry, Mavis and his mother May. Retirement was not an easy decision, but Larry always said “when you’re done you’re done” . He wanted time to travel with Mavis and his children, grandchildren and siblings. He loved going on beach holidays most of all. His proudest retirement present was his much-loved “dam cabin” at Forty Mile, where he often went shirtless (and occasionally even pantless). Larry enjoyed his lake family, hosting numerous gatherings on his deck overlooking the lake.
An officer in the South Alberta Light Horse Militia, he became a self-taught historian of World War II and collected memorabilia and military equipment. He was also proud to get his pilot’s license. He loved boating and taking his girls out for a ski and tolerated camping because Mavis loved it so much. Larry loved driving the country for “crop tours” with a cold beer and a smoke, singing to old favourites and reminiscing about the farmers he sold to and enjoyed in friendship.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Larry’s name may be made directly to either the Burdett Fire Association (to honour his sense of community), Box 105, Burdett, Alberta T0K 0J0, to your local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (to honour his love of Canadian history) at www.legion.ca, or the Bow Island Hospital (which enabled him to meet his wife and grow his family) c/o Bow Island and District Health Foundation, Bag 3990, Bow Island, Alberta T0K 0G0.
The family would like to thank the Bow Island Hospital nurses and doctors, especially Dr. Woodruff; the Bow Island and Coulee Medical home care, and all those who came to visit dad and support our family during this challenging time.