Alan Roy King

Obituary for Mr. Alan Roy King
It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of Alan Roy King. Alan was our dad; he was a brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend, and mentor. Alan was born on July 14, 1936 in Edmonton Alberta to parents John Henry and Elizabeth Jean King. Alan passed away on May 3, 2021 in hospital at Sechelt BC, after a long and very courageous battle with cancer.

Alan grew up with his six siblings in Edmonton Alberta. He went to school there and played hockey and probably many other sports as his sister says “all of the brothers are sports nuts”. Alan’s parents moved with him, his brother Ian, Terry, Doug, and young sister Barb to Maple Ridge (called Haney at the time) in 1954, as their father was transferred there for work. Alan’s older brother Geoff and Sister Shirley stayed in Edmonton. Alan stayed in Maple Ridge for a few years then moved back to Edmonton. In Edmonton he lived for a while with his sister Shirley and her husband Mitch. It was during this time he developed a very strong bond with his sister Shirley’s family. Shirley’s older children Glenn and Nancy have many memories of Alan living with them in those years; Glenn calling Alan his older brother. Shirley’s neighbour always felt sorry for Shirley having to put up with Alan as they thought Alan to be Mitch’s older brother due to their similarity of looks....Shirley’s son Ross recalls how Alan would “just turn up” occasionally in Edmonton while out for a drive....Shirley loved having Alan show up like that and cherished time spent with him.... can hear his laugh even now!!!!

Alan eventually got his own place and shortly after this was married to Dorothy. Alan and Dorothy had three daughters.... Shelley, Wendy, and Heather. The family resided in Sherwood Park. While there, Alan was an active member of the Fire Department, and was an avid curler.

In the early 1970s Alan moved the family to the Okanagan Valley, to Oyama British Columbia. Alan moved his family to begin a new career with the Hiram Walker & Sons distillery in Winfield BC. Alan worked for Hiram Walker & Sons from that time until the closure of the distillery in 1995. Outside of work .... Summers in the Okanagan were enjoyed with enthusiasm. There are many fond memories of the Mitchell clan camping in Oyama. Alan enjoyed taking the kids out water skiing for hours...and only once was known for saying we’d better pack it in as it was getting dark...

Alan was also very community minded. He was an active member of the Oyama Fire department Station #71 starting from February 1, 1973 until he moved to Sechelt in 1995. He spent at least 25 years as Fire Chief of the Oyama Station. He was a highly regarded leader and mentor there. He continued his love of curling with the Winfield curling club. He was an “avid” gardener!!!! For years “Al King’s yard” was the talk of Oyama. Al kept his yard in meticulous shape with a synchronized pattern of cut the lawn, fertilize the lawn, and water the lawn. That lawn was amazing, and the roses he kept were second to none!!!!

Alan retired from the Hiram Walker & Sons distillery in 1995 when the distillery was closed. Very soon after this Alan decided to move to Sechelt BC to enjoy his retired life on the beautiful Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. Once again Alan’s outgoing nature made him a friend to all.... His neighbors in Robert’s creek all have very fond memories of Alan. He helped everyone. His yard was the talk of the community. He kept a beautiful yard and was very meticulous in his gardening ways. His sister Barb loved talking plants and grasses with him. She recalled a time he came to their home in Victoria and they had to drive him all over to find a certain plant he wanted for his hedge, this took them all day, but they finally found them out by the ferry.
Alan’s brother Ian recalls enthusiastic phone conversations where he and Alan would discuss the World Junior Hockey championships and of course politics. They would discuss how they would fix things if they were in charge.

Alan was a bit of a soft soul as well.... he tolerated the numerous wounded birds, or wild mice, frogs, you name it, that we would bring home as kids. He also did so with all of the loved family pets we had as children and we had many. His sister-in-law Shireen recalled a story in which they were all going to dinner at a restaurant and they were looking into the window of a jewellery store next door. They had a display of Swarovski crystal...dad leaned into Shireen and whispered in her ear “you know, Shireen, it’s silly, but I have always loved those”.
Alan was a very private, but enthusiastic and outgoing man. He lived his life the way he wanted it to be and he lived it well.

Alan was predeceased by both of his parents. He was also predeceased by his sister Shirley (King) Mitchell, his brother-in-law Mitch (Quentin) Mitchell, and his sister-in-law Kathy King.
Alan is survived by his three daughters Shelley King (Goertzen)(Tom) of Lloydminster Saskatchewan, Wendy Garding (Nick) of Lake Country BC, and Heather King of Edmonton Alberta. He is also survived by grandchildren Dana (Chantelle) Goertzen, Sheldon Goertzen, Kayla Kerr (Goertzen) (Ryan), Gabrielle Young (Poulin) (Ryan), Devin Poulin, and Sienna Garding; and great-grand children Blake and Wyatt Goertzen, and Lennon Bea Young.

Alan is also survived by brother Geoff King, Terry King (Barbara Nelson), Ian King (Karen), Doug King (Shireen), and Barb Clark (King) (Ken).
Alan will also be dearly remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, colleagues, friends, and neighbors.

Cremation arrangements were made through Devlin Funeral Home in Gibsons BC. A celebration of life will take place at a later date in Sechelt BC.

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