Obituary of Donald Baird Low

LOW - Donald Low, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend to many, passed away January 3, 2016 at the Yorkton Regional Hospital. Don was born on the Low farm on March 7, 1926, the fifth son of Thomas Jr. and Lillian (nee Baird). His parents raised a family of six boys and two girls on a farm north of Foxwarren, Manitoba. He attended Foxwarren Consolidated School, was active in sports, played the trumpet in the school band and became a Lieutenant in the Army Cadets. In 1942 at the age of sixteen, he was awarded a silver watch as a sharpshooter for the province of Manitoba. At the age of eighteen he joined the RCAF with the intention of becoming a pilot but was selected to train as a wireless gunner. He was later transferred to the Army, and stationed in Toronto and Winnipeg. Upon discharged on Dec. 12, 1945 he returned to Foxwarren, where he courted Elaine, the love of his life. He worked as a mechanic and cabinet building, then in 1948 started working for the CPR as an Assistant Agent, later becoming an Operator and Station Agent. The last sixteen years of his career included a move to Yorkton and a promotion to Mobile Supervisor, retiring in 1988 after forty years with the railway. On August 25, 1951 he married Elaine Thorpe (the first couple to be married in the new Foxwarren United Church). They lived briefly in Winnipeg before moving to Bredenbury, where they raised a family of two girls and two boys. Don was an avid sports enthusiast, enjoying hockey, curling, golf, bowling, hunting, fishing, swimming and horseshoes. Travel was an important part of Don's life. Some of the highlights were family vacations with the tent trailer across Canada and the USA, trips to Europe, a Panama Cruise, and various holidays with friends and family. Two very special destinations were the fifteen winters they spent in St. Augustine, Florida and the fifty plus years of travelling to Clear Lake, Man. where many memories were made, most recently this past summer. A truly dedicated family man, he was a great inspiration and coach to his children and grandchildren. He attended as many activities as he could and always made time to encourage them and provide a few pointers. Don was a volunteer, willing to share his energy and talent. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and very proud to have recently received a seventy year member pin. Don had a life-time commitment to the United Church in Bredenbury and Yorkton, and until passing was a Board of Trustees Member at Westview United. He joined the Masonic Order in 1978 and participated in concordant bodies of The Royal Arch, was appointed the First Grand Principal of Saskatchewan from 1989-90, a member of The Scottish Rite, Preceptory, Wa Wa Shrine and Eastern Star. He was also a member of the Saskatchewan Telegraphers Club, and the Yorkton Horseshoe Club, to mention just a few. Don was predeceased by his parents; son Ross; brothers, Gordon, Victor, Leslie & Bill; and by a sister, Phyllis Talbot. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Elaine of sixty four years: their daughter Barb (Doug) Tomte of Spruce Grove, AB; their children Holly and Chad (Samantha); son David of Saltcoats, his children Meghan (Krishna), Rebecca (Mel) and Jessie; and daughter Pat (Eric) Holtkamp of Yorkton and their children Karlie (Mitch), Laura (Aaron) and Haley (Brenden), and great grandchildren Logan, Audrey, and Hudson, as well as a brother Alec (Shirley) of Dauphin, MB; a sister, Evelyn Widdicombe of Chetwynd, BC; and numerous nieces and nephews. The funeral service was held on Saturday, January 9th 2016 from Westview United Church, Yorkton. Rev. Deborah Smith and Rev. Walter Farquharson officiated. Organist, Laurene Jemieff led members of the church choir and the congregation in the singing of the hymns 'Walk With Me', 'Make Me A Channel of Your Peace', 'Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah', 'Give to Us Laughter', and 'We Shall Go Out with Hope of Resurrection'. The Masonic Funeral Rite was conducted by members of the Yorkton Lodge #12 A.F & A.M, and the Veteran Tribute Service was conducted by members of the Royal Canadian Legion, General Alexander Ross Branch #77. The interment took place in the Yorkton City Cemetery with grandson Chad Tomte serving as the urnbearer. Condolences may be left at baileysfuneralhome.com Memorials were to the Wa Wa Shrine - Patient Transportation Fund 2065 Hamilton St. Regina, SK S4P 2E1. Service Information Saturday, January 9th, 2016 11:00am, Westview United Church Interment Details Yorkton City Cemetery