November 29, 1934 - January 18, 2024
In loving memory ~
Jack Cameron Donald, AOE, BBA*
*AOE - Alberta Order of Excellence
BBA - Honorary Bachelor of Business
Administration Degree (SAIT)
Jack Donald passed away peacefully in Red Deer at the age of 89 years. He is survived by Joan, his loving wife of 68 years. Jack was a caring family man who loved and enjoyed his large family. His daughter Katherine (Kathy) Lacey (Peter) and son John Donald (Heather). Five grandchildren Crystal Lam (Jerry), Scott Donald (Amanda), Robert Lacey (Cassandra), Mark Lacey (Jana) and Diane Fedun (Justin). Eleven great-grandchildren Kendall and Chloe Lam, James and Jonathan Donald, Sophia and Lilian Lacey, Emilia and William Lacey, Jack, Charlie and Emma Fedun. He was predeceased by his daughter-in-law Joan Donald (Jr), his parents, Archie and Margaret Donald, as well as his only sibling, Elizabeth (Betty) Donald.
Jack attended school in Edmonton where he met his future wife, Joan. They were married on October 29th, 1955 when both were 20 years old.
He had a number of jobs in the early years but excelled at the "service station" business. Jack and Joan, along with their two children Kathy (7) and John (4) moved to Red Deer in 1964 to start their own branded service station and bulk oil sales operation - Parkland Oil Products Ltd. After seven years, this company was successful and was sold to Turbo Resources, a public company in Calgary. Jack became Vice-President of Marketing and Director of Turbo.
After five more years, Jack and Joan started another branded oil company, Fas Gas Oil, with one station in North Red Deer. Fas Gas and Parkland Industries Ltd., a public company, grew very rapidly over the ensuing years, with 454 outlets in Western Canada by 2002, a refinery and 38 tractor trailers for delivery of products.
Jack retired in 2002 as President and CEO, of Parkland Industries Ltd. but remained on the Board of Directors until 2005.
He was awarded a number of honors recognizing his business and leadership roles.
While running the fuel distribution company, Jack also operated Parkland Properties Ltd., an investment and real estate business established in 1968. In addition, Jack was co-founder of Park Country Broadcasting (KG Country) in Red Deer. He was also a Partner and Vice-President of Brandt Industries Ltd. of Regina. He continued to serve as a director on boards of petroleum and agriculture equipment companies.
As he worked to grow his business interests, Jack made it a priority to join like-minded, youth-focused volunteers at the Optimist Club of Red Deer, and quickly became president. His positive outlook and commitment to service led him to expand his community involvement by joining the Rotary Club. Following his service on a number of City of Red Deer committees, Jack was moved to seek and win two terms as a Red Deer Alderman in the 1970s.
After he left elected office, Jack's commitment to education led him to accept an appointment to the Board of Governors for Red Deer College in 1979. He served for three years on the board and then continued to share his wisdom with students as a guest speaker in the Business and the Trade and Technology Studies programs. Jack and Joan, and the companies they led, have been major donors to the college for decades. The Donalds' gift in 2006 was the largest single donation in the college's history at that time. The Donalds' generosity led to the creation of the Donald School of Business and started a momentum of giving that helped Red Deer College reach campaign goals.
Westerner Park in Red Deer has been another longstanding beneficiary of Jack Donald's community focus. He joined the Westerner Exhibition board in 1979 and led relocation of the exhibition grounds and the construction of both the Parkland Pavilion that hosts large events in Red Deer, and the 7,000 seat Centrium Arena, home to the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League. Joan and Jack's generosity also helped to build Westerner Park's Donald Administration Building. His philanthropy extended to support many Alberta organizations and charities.
Not content with making a difference in Red Deer alone, Jack expanded the scope of his service to the provincial level. In 1983, he was director, then chair, of the Alberta Opportunity Company that funded small businesses across the province. Between 1995 and 2000, he chaired and co-chaired three provincial tax review commissions to review and improve Alberta's competitiveness and reduce Albertans' taxation. He also served for more than 26 years as one of the founding directors and chairman of the Bank of Alberta which became Canadian Western Bank.
Jack's leadership and commitment have been recognized at the local, provincial and national levels. In 2011, he was inducted into the Southern Alberta Business Hall of Fame and was named Red Deer's Citizen of the Year in 2002. As well, Jack was presented with the G.H. Dawe Memorial Award for his contributions to education. Jack received the first annual Pinnacle Award (Business Excellence) in 1987 and the Canada Award for Business Excellence from the Government of Canada in 1989. He was inducted into the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2005, Jack and Joan received the Philanthropic Family - Generosity of Spirit Award from the Calgary chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In 2012, SAIT feted Jack with an Honorary Bachelor of Business Administration Degree.
One of Jack's colleagues sums up what so many feel about the lifelong go-getter: "It is never about Jack. It is about the well-being of everyone." That community spirit, combined with Jack's business ingenuity, leadership, philanthropy and tireless volunteerism, is a legacy that will reverberate throughout Central Alberta for generations.
Home in Red Deer with his wife is a beautiful site, bordering the Red Deer River and was the site of many family and friends gatherings and celebrations over the years. He loved it.
He said "It has been a great run for a kid who loved to pump gas and sell stuff".
If you so wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Red Deer Hospice Society, 99 Arnot Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta, T4R 3S6.
A Celebration of Jack's life will be held at Westerner Park on April 20th, 2024