Gary Dale Bracken

On Monday, July 16, 2018 Gary Bracken passed away suddenly at home in the place that he loved, at the age of 72 years.

Gary was the only child of Ethel Bracken and Ben Sunholm, born in Didsbury on May 25, 1946. He spent his younger years on his grandparent’s farm in the Big Prairie Area and attended school in Cremona. He loved to hunt and was always “out in the bush” with his dog.

On September 22, 1967, he married Sylvia Simpson in Sundre. They had two children Crystal and Darren. Gary had various jobs as a young man, which included working for farmers, a gravel pit, sawmills, and working at a sulpher plant. He soon discovered that he didn’t like working for someone else. Gary and his brother in-law Vern bought a wire line truck and operated under Carnwood Wireline before starting his own trucking business and naming it Garrington Oilfield Services Ltd. Gary and Sylvia ran the business for 30 years.

Gary loved being in mountains so much, that for 28 years he owned and operated Lost Guide Outfitters. Gary and his wife also built a cabin in Clearwater River Valley where he ran a trap line and enjoyed trapping, mostly wolves.

In the later years of his life he ran a mixed herd of cattle and put up hay. He loved to visit and enjoyed going to the A&W to visit the “coffee crew”.

Gary will be forever remembered and dearly missed by his wife of 50 years, Sylvia and his son Darren (Trish), and his granddaughter Ryan. Gary was predeceased by his daughter Crystal and his best friend Tuffy.

A Come and Go Celebration of “ A Life Well Lived” will be held on Friday July 27, at 11:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. at The James River Hall. Range Rd 53, James River Bridge, AB.