KNUTSON Douglas Gordon Knutson, was the oldest child and only son of Raymond and Violet Knutson born December 8, 1933 in Coronation, Alberta. Our dad had three sisters: Isabelle, Gwen and Gladys. Dad married Shirley Ann Streit May 15, 1953. Dad and Mom had three sons; Scott, Randy and Kenny. Through the years our family grew adding daughters in law; Luci and Marg; grand children; Candace, Raymond, Jason, Erin, James and Cameron. Granddaughter in law Corinna and three great grandchildren; Ashley, Taylor Rae and Travis. While I don’t know a lot about my Dad’s early childhood, Aunt Isabelle shared with us recently that Dad had a tradition of taking his sisters new Christmas Dolls to the water tank and submerging them for several minutes. He was a mischievous guy in his childhood. We lived in Saskatchewan and the Crow’s Nest Pass in our earlier years before moving back to Stettler in the early Sixties. Dad worked Seismic and Drilling Rigs which took him away from home for what seemed liked long periods of times during the winter months. I remember when he came home us boys would get jealous as he took our Mom’s attention away from us as we had her to ourselves during the winter months. When Dad moved the family back to Stettler in the early sixties he went to work for Gulf Oil which kept him at home. Dad worked for Gulf until he retired. Dad was an outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. He played a little Fastball as well. During the earlier years we used to hunt and fish a lot with my Grandfather Knutson, who we lost at the young age of 53. Dad and us boys were very close to Grandpa and things were not quite the same in the years that followed. Dad had a lot of difficulty with the loss of his father, however did not talk much about it. Dad taught us how to hunt fish and trap; those are the fond memories we have of him in the field. His two favorite quarries were the Ring Necked Pheasant and Whitetail Deer. He also enjoyed hunting ducks and geese. Growing up we spent time in the field hunting with Dad and some of his close friends, Buzz, Bob, Frank and Lawrence. When Dad wasn’t hunting he fished the local ponds, Kerbes, Huber and Michee. He also spent time ice fishing white fish at Buck Lake and Goldeye in the Red Deer River. Dad used to take us to Pine Lake fishing for Perch and Pike a lot in the early years where we spent time most summers with the Page family. In later years Dad used to take Mom, Raymond and James fishing to Pine Lake. They are once again all fishing together. Dad loved dogs very much and at times we thought maybe more than people. He had several over his life time starting his hunting dogs; Goldie my Grandfather’s yellow lab, Velvet and Koko the pointers, Aquarius and Sapphire the yellow labs. These dogs rode to work with Dad every day and people used to tease Dad about his two blondes as Aquarius and Sapphire went with him everywhere. In the later years he settled for several smaller dogs and named them all Jody. Dad loved country music and short hair. When my brothers and I hit teenager years we grew our hair long and played Rock Music. Dad took ribbing from his friends at times about his girls even though he didn’t have any. He used to bring friends home from the bar and play country music all night. I would get up in the morning and get even by playing Led Zeppelin. Dad liked Johnny Cash, Hank Snow and Willie Nelson while we preferred Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones. Dad did not have any easy life and had several brushes with death over the years; a serious car accident, hit by a bull resulting in a broken neck and several head injuries including one that resulted in a STARS air ambulance ride to Edmonton which along with the surgeons saved his life. When the bull broke Dad’s neck and was put into a half body cast, he couldn’t wait to get home from the doctor’s to make sure his shotgun fit before the cast totally set up. I don’t think he followed Doctor’s orders. Dad was a private man and did not show his emotions or share his inner feelings with us much. All our conversations throughout our years had been about hunting, fishing and sports related. It is no secret that Dad battled with Alcohol much of his life and finally won that battle after he had a stroke several years ago. During his final years Dad seemed to show more emotion and would even let me give him a hug. He was not much of a talker and you had to carry the conversation. Dad and Mom were married 54 years and Dad was lost when Mom passed away in June of 2007. While Dad passed away peacefully he was never one to complain and usually the only way we could get him to a Doctor was on a stretcher. He is finally at peace and with our Lord, Mom, Raymond and James. While I traveled the world in business; brother Randy was Dad’s major care giver during his final years. We loved Dad dearly and will cherish the memories of the time we spent together in the field hunting and fishing. Funeral services were held at Heartland Chapel of Stettler Funeral Home, March 25, 2009 with Rev. Barbara Zimmerman officiating. Doug Knutson gave a loving tribute. Joan Rushton played the organ for the hymns. Mr. Maurice Lorieau sang two of the families favorite songs. Interment was held at Lake View Cemetery in Stettler. Family and friends gathered together for a time of fellowship and refreshments provided by Teresa’s Catering. Memorial donations may be made to S.T.A.R.S. c/o Stettler Funeral Home. Sympathies may be forwarded to the family by signing the guestbook at www.stettlerfuneralhome.com. STETTLER FUNERAL HOME 742-3422, entrusted with the care and arrangements.