Murray James Kyle

Murray was born at Marengo, Saskatchewan on April 16, 1922 (Easter Sunday) to parents Johnson and Jeanette Kyle.

He was the youngest of six boys, and when Murray was four years of age his family moved to Tisdale, Saskatchewan, where Murray was raised and educated. While in public school he worked at the local newspaper; when in high school he apprenticed at the local theater, and received a license as a projectionist. When he finished school, he became the projectionist at the theatre for a dollar a day. He also worked part time at the local funeral home. In 1940, he moved to Manitoba and worked as projectionist for a small theater chain at Neepawa, Minnedosa, Carman and Winnipeg.

In late 1941, he enlisted in the R.C.A.F. and trained and graduated as a pilot and served as a staff pilot in the commonwealth Air Training Program at Ancienne Loret, Quebec and at Mount Pleasant, P.E.I. Discharged in 1945, he returned to Tisdale and apprenticed in the funeral business, became licensed in 1947, and worked at Tisdale, Regina and North Battleford. In 1960, he purchased the funeral business at Melfort, Saskatchewan. Upon selling it in 1975, he moved to Kelowna and had Valleyview Funeral Home built. The contractor was Gordon Stanley and was assisted in construction by Bob Charlesworth. He sold the business in 1989, but continued to be employed there until finally retiring in 2005 after 60 years in funeral service.

During his life, Murray was active in both the federal and provincial funeral associations. On his retirement, he was awarded an Honourary Life Membership by the Funeral Service Association of British Columbia. While in Melfort, he served several years as a school trustee and as chairman of the board for ten years; and served on various projects in the community. He became a member of the Rutland Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1988, and served in various capacities.

Murray was married in 1946 to Jeannette Anderson, and blessed with three children: Kenneth, James, and Doreen. The marriage ended in 1979 and he was single until 1986, when he married Jeanette Mann, and thereby gained another daughter, Chery Lake.

He was predeceased by his wife Jeanette (2003); and five brothers.

He is survived by his four children: Ken of Lac La Biche AB, Jim and Ruth of Okotoks, AB, Doreen and Gordon Whitfield of Dawson Creek BC, and Chery Lake of London ON; two sisters in law, Gayle (Jack) Eicher of Palmerston, ON and Joyce Tinning of Mitchell ON as well as nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A visitation for the comfort of family and friends will be held Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at Valleyview Funeral Home, 165 Valleyview Road, Kelowna, BC. The funeral service will be held on Friday, February 6, 2015 at 10:00 am at the Rutland Seventh-day Adventist Church 130 Gerstmar Road Kelowna, BC. Interment at Lakeview Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 2850 Dry Valley Road, Kelowna.

Condolences may be sent to the family through the guest book at www.valleyviewfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Valleyview Funeral Home, Kelowna, BC 250-765-3147.