Kendal George Strong

George was born August 14, 1943 in Magrath, AB and passed away peacefully at Bethany Harvest Hills Care home in Calgary, AB on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at the age of 80 years.

George will be remembered as a hard worker, as well as a loyal lifelong partner, father, friend and brother. He was a man of few words unless discussing trucks, hockey, or his favorite TV shows. George worked hard his whole life until his retirement. He enjoyed working in the local trucking industry in the second half of his working life. He had a great sense of humor and was always teasing those he cared about. George had a love for the sport of hockey and attended many Lethbridge WHL games with his father, and brother. He was an avid NHL fan and always tuned in to the games on TV. Due to his love of driving, George and Perky often went for drives around town in the evenings.

George finished high school and went directly in to work at age 17. He had many different jobs in his younger years including Bird's Building Supplies, Lethbridge Concrete Products, and Canada Packers in Lethbridge. He finally found the driving job he really enjoyed in the mid 1990’s with Lealta Building Supplies where he stayed until his retirement in 2003.

After Perky passed away in 2001, George and his older brother Randy became very close and looked after one another. They met almost every day for coffee, traveled to Montana as well as Calgary.

As George started to face health challenges, he moved from his home in Lethbridge in 2018 to enter a new chapter in his life. He first moved to Lindenview Care Home in Taber, and after 7 months, was moved to Newport Harbour Care Centre in Calgary to be closer to his daughters Diane and Roxanne. In 2021, George moved again to Bethany Harvest Hills where he remained until his passing. The smaller, homelike environment of Bethany Harvest Hills was perfect for him. He was a favorite among staff who enjoyed his sense of humour as well as being able to tease him.

Roxanne was able to take him out a few times each week and he looked forward to his drives around the city. He also loved his cheeseburger from McDonalds and an Apple Fritter from Tim Hortons while out.

George is lovingly remembered by his daughters, Diane Sparks and her partner Larry White, Roxanne (Kirk) Weeks, his grandchildren Nickole, Jason and Ashley Sparks, great-grandchildren Odin and Izyk Ellinson. He is also survived by his uncle Lee Bullock and his cousin Nelda-Lee (Robert) Delany.

George was predeceased by his father and mother, Bud (William) and Zelma Strong, his partner in life, Perky (Priscilla) Strong, and his brother Randy Strong.

A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Magrath Pioneer Cemetery in Magrath, AB. Dedication at the grave site will be given by a member of the family.

He will be dearly missed by his family who take comfort in knowing he is now at peace and is reunited with the ones gone before him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Society at https://alzheimer.ca/en.