We are sad to announce the passing of Lawrence “Tex” Edward Herman Benson of Knutsford, B.C. who passed away on July 20th, 2019 at the age of 68.

He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Lilly Billy-Benson and his children Lee (Sherry), Jamie and Megan (John) and his special gifts, his grandchildren Emily, Jade, Jordan and Adaline.  He is also survived by his sister Shirley Ballum of Prince George, B.C. and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

He was predeceased by his parents Stanley and Marjorie (Billie) Benson.  Tex was born in Quesnel, B.C. and lived in Williams Lake and 140 Mile House until he moved to Kamloops in the early 80’s which he then called home.  Tex worked in a variety of professions, most recently as a truck driver, but also included railway worker, sawmill worker, taxi driver, bike shop assistant, ranch hand and construction.

Tex started riding motorcycles at an early age and often shared with others that he would be able to ride from Williams Lake to Kamloops and only see one other motorcycle.  This life style he chose brought him many close relationships with lots of wonderful people which brought him great joy in his life.

Lawrence was a young boy at the age of 4 years old when he and his Dad and Mon would come up from the south to visit in Prince George and his sister would snatch him up to spend some time with her “Little Tex” before they would head out to his Aunt’s ranch to ride his little black pony, Smokey.

Lawrence spent some time in Army Cadets and attended many horse racing meets with his very successful jockey Dad and his Mom.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, July 27th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Kamloops Funeral Home,  285 Fortune Drive, Kamloops,. B.C. to gather together and honour the life of Tex Benson.  There will be a Memorial Ride to follow for anyone who wishes to attend.

We would like to send special thanks to the Kamloops Cancer Clinic and various other departments of the Royal Inland Hospital and those who have supported us.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Kamloops Cancer Clinic at Royal Inland Hospital.

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Richard “John” Maidment on July 17, 2019 at 78 years of age.

John is survived by his son Tony (Brenda) Maidment and by his granddaughters Kennedie (Chris) and Mikaela (Tristan) all of Kamloops. John also leaves behind his brothers David (Shirley) of England, Peter (Marilyn) of Barriere and his sister Pauline (Eric) Cooper of Kelowna. Along with nieces and nephews in Canada and England.

John was predeceased by his son Paul Maidment in 1981 and by his parents Ron and Cicely Maidment.

John emigrated from England to British Columbia to work on the W.A.C. Bennett Dam in Hudson Hope. Dad then proceeded to receive his Heavy Duty Mechanics Certificate with Finning Tractor and moved around BC until settling in Kamloops in 1979. He worked for Kam-Trac Selvage before starting his own company Four “M” Mechanical Services, where he worked in BC and parts of Alberta before retiring to his property in Kamloops. Dad was an avid Nascar enthusiast, driving to many races in the US. Dad also enjoyed tinkering on many projects around his yard, always having something on the go.

The Funeral Service will take place at 11:00 am on Sunday, July 28, 2019 at the Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Dr., with Pastor Don Maione officiating. Burial will take place at 10:00 am on Monday, July 29, 2019 in Hillside Cemetery, 750 Notre Dame Drive.

We would love to give special thanks to the ICU at Royal Inland Hospital for their care and compassion and to dad’s neighbor, Jerry, for always being there for him.

Keith Kay Strate of Kamloops B.C. passed away peacefully on July 4, 2019 at 90 years of age.  Friends and family who knew Keith well, called him “Kay.”
He is survived by his loving wife Rita, his sister, June Welling of Desert Hot Springs

California, and his children from his former wife Georgina Nickolson, Doug (Monique), Karen (Ron) Irnie, Mark (Heather), Bob (Sandra).
He is also survived by his step-children, Tammy (Chad) Miller, Shane Kurki, as well as grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Keith has been a lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served as Bishop for a period of time and gave of his time to serve in other auxiliary positions. He was always ready to serve and help those in need.

Keith was born to parents, Clarence Henry Strate and Esther Pack, on December 17, 1928, in Cardston Alberta.  His family lived in Hillspring, Alberta till he was 4 years old, then his mother wanted to join her husband, Clarence, who at the time was working in Edmonton, so, she loaded up the family and all their belongings in a 1929 Ford that belonged to Uncle Forrest and they arrived in Edmonton on October 31st, much to the delightful surprise of her husband.

Kay’s love for hockey began at the early age of 6, his passion for hockey led to a career with the Edmonton Flyers as a forward.
In his 11th year of school he began to sell insurance for Western Savings and Loan for a couple of years and then he purchased the Leach Tire Store in Lloydminster, Alberta which would be re-named a couple of years later as the Civic Tire Store.
Kay would use his entrepreneurial spirit to purchase Tire stores in Vegreville, and Wetaskiwin, Alberta and Fort St. John B.C..  In order to keep in close contact with his employees at the different Tire store locations, Kay decided to learn to fly an airplane.
Kay retired early in his life at the age of 42, he then bought the ranch property at Campbell Creek in the Dallas region of Kamloops and raised some cattle and enjoyed the farming life which was close to his heart. On trips to Alberta with his wife, Rita, he would comment on the hay fields and how he loved the farmland.

Kay enjoyed so many hobbies and was a skilled craftsman. He built a carpentry workshop where he could make numerous projects for family and friends. His love of carpentry was handed down to him from watching and helping his own father at an early age with carpentry projects.
He loved hunting and fishing trips with his father and friends which always produced plenty of food to share with everyone.
He was able to build an airplane with his sons, Mark and Bob, which was a 7 year project. Often he spoke of the 23,000 rivets that went into the structure of the plane.Read More & Leave Condolences »