John Rempel

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Rempel on March 19, 2024. John was born November 21st, 1933 in Winnipeg, and lived in Osbourne, Manitoba for 13 years. The family moved to Chilliwack in 1946 and established themselves on a dairy farm. With 6 brothers and a sister, they all worked hard getting chores done before and after school.

John and his brothers loved motorcycles and cars, and they spent many hours repairing old relics into running machines. The love of all things mechanical led John to earning his mechanic license which allowed him to hone his diagnostic and repair skills.

John met the love of his life Elsie in 1954. They were married in 1958, and had three children: son Barry, and daughters, Carmen and Heather.

In 1967 he moved his family to Kamloops to start a new job at School District #24 (now SD#73) as the sole school bus mechanic looking after the entire fleet at that time. As the bus fleet grew, John became the Shop Foremen. John loved the challenges of managing the fleet and crew and continued to get his hands dirty every day for 32 years before he retired in 1998.

With the help of his brothers, John built the family house in Valleyview in 1967. John and Elsie raised their family who are grateful for a wonderful childhood. John and Elsie had a large circle of great neighbors and many friends with whom they spent much time camping, fishing, hunting and snowmobiling. They shared many laughs and great times with their cherished friends and family.

In 1969, John and his good friend Bob, joined the Valleyview volunteer fire department. They spent 16 years always at the ready if their skills were required to help keep the community safe.

John was a lifetime member of the Kamloops Fish and Game Club. He spent many volunteer hours on the infrastructure and maintenance that make the local lakes a great place to fish.

Throughout the years, John enjoyed many hobbies. Trap shooting was a passion, and he was proud of his "25 straight” clay birds hit badges. He enjoyed many great hunting trips with his friends and especially his brother-in-law Frank. John and Elsie enjoyed many years of square dancing in Kamloops and surrounding area. They had great fun dancing at Expo 86 and other dance exhibitions. He took up golf later in life and loved to play with his good buddies at Mount Paul and Pineridge golf courses.

With John’s knack for diagnosing mechanical problems, the driveway was often filled with friends’ cars that needed his expert touch. He could diagnose a problem over the phone if we could re-create the sound. He saved us many thousands of dollars in repair bills.

John is survived by his loving wife and best friend Elsie, his son Barry, (Michele), daughters Carmen (Serge), and Heather (Sean) and two beautiful granddaughters, Tara and Kelly. He is also survived by his brothers Bill (Kay) and Jake (Joanne) and his sister Helen (Joe) and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents John and Susanna Rempel and his brothers Henry (Kay), George (Vi), Cork (Carol), Peter (Betty).

Most of all he loved his family and was the best Dad, Husband, Grandpa, and Friend anyone could wish for.

We will all miss his kind, gentle manner and quick wit so much, but know he will be "Fishing Forever" and enjoying a "Goldilocks Day".

The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff at Royal Inland Hospital in ER and 7 North that gave such professional and compassionate care in Dad’s final days.

A celebration of John's life to follow, with a date to be announced this summer.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in John's name can be sent to the Kamloops Fish and Game Club.