Obituary of Raymond Francis BUR

BUR, Raymond Francis Jan. 1, 1921 – Dec. 12, 2016 With deep sadness, our family announces the passing of our father and grandfather, Raymond Bur, just weeks before his 96th birthday. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Olive; his only sibling, Eileen Kent; his parents, Charles and Alice Bur; and by almost all friends and neighbours of his era. Raymond is survived by his five children (and spouses) as well as 11 grandchildren: Douglas; Donald (Joanna) and grandchildren Olivia and Sebastian; Marion (Jerry) Brunen and grandchildren Jeffrey, Joel, Matthew and Megan; Kenneth (Dee) and grandchildren Kassidee and Makadia; Maureen (Desmond) Turner and grandchildren Madison, Morgan and Mallory. Raymond had an idyllic prairie boyhood growing up in Lyalta, Alberta. The happiest times of his life were playing hockey and swimming in a creek that flowed through his family farm. He rode a horse three miles (one-way) to Turner School. And he developed a lifelong love of nature by growing up on a prairie farm. Raymond served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942-1946. He trained as a bombardier/navigator on different types of bomber aircraft at various air bases in Canada and Great Britain. Upon returning to Canada he worked as an electrician’s assistant and eventually wired many homes and farms. He married Olive (Dyke) in 1949 and together they bought a farm east of Crossfield, eventually expanding to five quarter-sections (plus rented land). The Bur farm primarily raised cattle and grain, and Raymond was one of the first farmers in the Crossfield district to sow canola. After farming for 40 years he ‘retired’ with Olive to the Town of Crossfield in 1990. Raymond had a life-long interest in trees. Growing trees was his way of moderating the harshness of the prairies, and creating habitats for birds and animals. Raymond planted more than one thousand trees (mostly spruce trees) on the Crossfield farm, and tended to his trees well into his retirement. Our family would like to sincerely thank AgeCare Sagewood and the Strathmore Hospital for their care and kindness. Raymond Bur’s funeral will be held on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at the Crossfield & District Community Centre at 1:30 p.m. To send condolences, please visit Raymond’s obituary at www.wheatlandfuneralhome.ca. If friends so desire, a donation may be made directly to the Salvation Army (822-420 9 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 0R9). To send condolences, please click the link below or email directly to condolences@wheatlandfuneralhome.ca Send Condolences