Obituaries

April 15, 1945 – December 19, 2022With heavy hearts we announce the unexpected passing of Ray Gilkyson on December 19, 2022, at the age of 77.Ray was born in Beaverlodge and was the youngest of 4 sons to Stella and Floyd. He was raised at the family farm in the La Glace area. Ray and Vicky met in high school, were married in 1969 and they had 2 boys, Scott, and Greg.His profession followed in the footsteps of his parents as a grain and cattle farmer. After a career of managing the family farm he retired from this and ventured into real estate and auctioneering. He was also very involved in the community throughout the years; served on many boards and was County of Grande Prairie councilor. Ray was active, throughout his life, in many sports including hockey, rodeo, golf and baseball with the Sexsmith Rainiers. As a senior, he participated in the Alberta Summer and Alberta Winter games playing numerous sports. Most recently, he represented Alberta in golf at the Canadian 55+ Games in Kamloops.Moreover, Ray’s true love was his family, especially his grandchildren. He loved spending time with his grandkids and never missed an opportunity to create memories and traditions with them. He enjoyed taking them out golfing, to Storm hockey games, playinghide-and-seek, touring the Northern Spirit Light Show with hot chocolate or just chasing them around at the farm.Ray will be dearly missed by his wife, Vicky; son Scott and daughter in-law Nora-Lee and their children Shamus and Maeve; son Greg and daughter in-law Karen and their children Kairo and Juno. He also will be missed by his brother Donald, numerous nephews, nieces, and many friends.He was predeceased by his parents Floyd and Stella Gilkyson, siblings Michael Leroy and Gordon Gilkyson, and granddaughter Stella Marie.A private ceremony will be held with his immediate family. Ray did not want a funeral and hoped that everyone would remember the good times they had together in lieu of a ceremony. Donations in his memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation (heartandstroke.ca) or the Blossoming Garden of Hope (Cheque payable to City of Grande Prairie with memo note “Blossoming Garden of Hope Fund” can be dropped off at City Hall with the envelope addressed to Department SDWC).Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780 830 7742 bearcreekfuneral.com