It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Malburn Ronald Endean. Surrounded by his family he left us for heaven on May 26th in his 90th year. He is survived by his loving wife Dorothy of 65 years. He also leaves his son Ronald (Deborah), daughter Bonnie (Andrew) along with 3 granddaughters Kathleen, Melissa and Kimberley (Vance) plus 3 great grandchildren Elizabeth, Emery and Mila. He also had 3 step great grandchildren Danielle, Mya, and Alia. He was sadly pre-deceased by his infant son James Russell Endean in 1961.
Mal (Mang) was born in the Peace River Region of Alberta in 1932 in a little place called Berwyn. He grew up there on the family farm, the eldest of 9 children of Morley and Marjorie Endean (both pre-deceased). He had a strong bond with his siblings 4 of which are
pre-deceased Cork, Norm, Rose, and Tom. He will be fondly remembered by his surviving sisters and brothers Marjorie, Vic, Patsy and Ken.
In 1948 the family moved to Kamloops and purchased a chicken farm in Westsyde by the river. He apprenticed as a tireman at Casco Tire at the age of 16 and did various jobs throughout his life from working in a tire retread plant to logging to electrical and construction.
Along the way he met his sweetie Dorothy Doney whom he married in 1956 and settled down to raise a family. They spent a loving 65 years together. Briefly they moved to Valemount before their son Ronald William was born in 1957 then moved back to Kamloops the following year. Here he built the home to raise his family in on Angus street. They had 2 more children James Russell born 1961 who sadly passed shortly after birth and a daughter Bonnie Mae in 1965. Dad loved the outdoors and hunted and fished in his younger days. He built numerous cabins at various local lakes and a few houses with his son as he enjoyed the challenge of their construction. But his real love was for music. His guitar never sat idle. Mal played in several bands over 30 years including The Thompson Valley Boys and later in retirement, he continued with The Old Time Fiddlers.
He entertained his fellow Overlander care home residents after he moved there in 2020. After staff realized his wonderful gift they provided him with a guitar he kept in his room for those impromptu sing alongs. Mal (Grandpa) will be greatly missed by all who new him. He was a wealth of talent with his guitar music and in his gift of story telling. Family was everything to him. He had a kindness to all creatures great and small. His honest giving nature and welcoming heart will never be forgotten.
Celebration of life: Friday, June 10th at 11am at Kamloops Funeral Home -285 Fortune Drive. Interment to follow at Hillside Cemetery, Kamloops, BC. Afternoon Open house welcomes family and friends to daughter Bonnie Hill’s residence in Mclure – 357 Orchard Lake Rd, Heffley Creek/ Mclure
Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
250-554-2577
3 Tributes
We are so terribly saddened to hear of your loss. What a beautiful tribute to Uncle Mal. I will always remember his kindness and gentle soul as stated to all creatures big or small. He was very much like my Dad. I am confident that Dad was waiting for him with brotherly loving open arms at at heavens gate. “The boys are back in town” Uncle Cork Uncle Butch Uncle Grant Dad- and now Uncle Mal.. Dad would be saying “we got a line brothers let’s play”. Just know we up here in the north are sending lots of love. Always forever in our hearts.
Ron and Deb, Condolences to you all. I remember meeting him a few times many years ago when they lived on Angus st, adjacent to your place. Sounds like he was the hit of the party at his seniors home…
Dorothy and family,
I am very sadden to read of Mal’s passing. I enjoyed greatly the years when we played with the Thompson Valley Boys which we founded with Dave and Eric especially when we were the opening band for the Johnny Cash show.
Brian Layland