Koji Kobayashi, 84, a compassionate, generous, dedicated brother, uncle, great uncle and friend passed away on February 2, 2024. Seven years ago, Koji was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis which altered his life style, especially the last three years. Koji was an incredibly caring person, however he found it difficult to allow people to care for him.

Koji was born on May 15, 1939 in Vancouver. He will be lovingly remembered by his siblings Toshiko (Irene) Maeda, Kazuko Kobayashi, Mutsuko (Bill) Barclay, Hiroshi (Dona) Kobayashi, Yoko McMillan, Satoko Kobayashi, Ines (Doug) Thornton, Eileen Gill, Kenneth Kobayashi and Jo-Anne Kobayashi (Don). He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and close friends Tim and Tamme Barzaghi, Karen and Dan Doyle and family, the Callahan family, the Sawada family and the Stocks family.

Koji is predeceased by his parents Ishisaburo and Shizue Kobayashi, brother Shigeo Kobayashi, and sisters Sumiko Marks, Pamela and Miyeko Kobayashi.

Koji was 3 years old when the family was interned to Blind Bay in the summer of 1942. Eventually they moved to Singh Street in Brocklehurst in 1943 until the family home was built in 1948 on Desmond Street. Koji attended Brocklehurst Elementary School on Crestline Street , Kamloops Secondary School and North Kamloops Senior Secondary School. In high school, Koji played the trumpet and  played basketball for the Saints. After graduation, he was employed at Kamloops Lumber, and in April 1969 was employed at Weyerhaeuser Pulp Mill until his retirement in 1999. After his retirement, he enjoyed having coffee with his colleagues and friends.

Koji’s knowledge of gardening originated from his Dad. His hard work in the garden produced an abundance of vegetables for family and friends. He also preserved vegetables including pickled daikon.

Koji enjoyed his time in the casinos. He was incredibly lucky playing  slot machines and scratch tickets. In Koji’s memory, visit a casino and hopefully you will enjoy his winning ways.

There will be a graveside memorial service at Hillside Cemetery on Saturday, March 30^th at 1:00 PM.  Followed by a tea at the Japanese Cultural Centre from 2:00pm until 4:00pm.

The family wishes to thank Tanya Knighton and Lora Knighton for their dedication and incredible care of Koji.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the British Columbia Lung Foundation 2675 Oak Street, Vancouver. B.C. V6H 2K2, Japanese Cultural Centre 160 Vernon Ave. Kamloops B.C. V2B 1L6, Kamloops Buddhist Temple 361 Poplar St., Kamloops, B.C. V2B 4B9, or a charity of your choice.

Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

It is with deepest sadness we announce the passing of Buckley Versechoyle Lord on Feb. 11th, 2024 at the age of 94 years. He was the beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and uncle to many. He lived a happy, active and productive life full of love, integrity, honour, loyalty and had a great sense of humour.

Buckley was born on Aug. 30th, 1929 in Bracken Saskatchewan to Walter and Agnes Lord. He was the third child and brother to siblings Lenore, Valoree, Elaine, Dean and Eileen. Many skills such as farming, livestock care, and athletics were developed through his childhood and teen years in various locations in Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta. In 1949, after graduating, he moved from home to work for Greyhound in Lethbridge Alberta, and then to Red Rock Ontario. There, he became the Manager and Projectionist for a theatre, and also took day work in the accounting department of the paper mill. He married Doreen, his wife of 44 years, in 1952 and raised four children, Karen, Dan, Pat and Barry. After completing many accounting and computer programming courses in Winnipeg, he remained with Domtar as Computer Systems Analyst and Data Processing Supervisor.

The family then moved to Kamloops, BC in 1965, where Buckley accepted the position of  Statistical Supervisor for Weyerhaeuser. He continued to work for them in that capacity, and as Accounting Manager in the lumber division, until he accepted a teaching position at Cariboo College. After a long career of teaching business courses, he retired from the College in 1989. Unfortunately, his loving, beautiful wife Doreen predeceased him in 1996. He shared a rich life with her and the family, doing activities such as travelling, camping, pool parties, fireside gatherings, dancing, swimming and biking. He also had many interests and hobbies such as home renovations, photography, horseshoe competitions, and more. He was a member of the horseshoe club, the St. George’s Church men’s club, and was a long standing member of the Moose Hall where he was very involved in it’s bookkeeping and other support roles.

A private family only graveside ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 24th, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

We will all miss him more than words can say, and he will be in our hearts forever.

Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

Alfred Craft, 77, passed away on Friday, February 2, 2024 in Clearwater BC.

Al was born to parents Paul and Martha Craft on July 16, 1946 in Queen Charlotte City, BC.  Al is survived by his four children, Joyce Groenendyk, Sheila Green, Dakota Olson and Shania Craft, along with nine grandchildren, Fearon, Courtney, Arie, Hayden, Drew, Shae, Harmoney, Emma and Wyatt.

Al was known to be a bit cheeky a lot of fun and sometimes a bit rough around the edges but had a kind heart.  Al loved to camp, fish and hunt and later in life became a lover of Harley Davidsons’s.  Al ventured all over the map with friends and family toting and sharing many tales along his way.

Al will be remembered for his sense of humor, sarcastic come backs and his sometimes-boisterous behavior.

“We had joy, we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song
Like the seasons have all gone”

Rest in peace “Dad, ole man, daddio” may you ride on forever and stay young at heart. Forever in our hearts, much love.
Upon the request of our dad there will be no service.

Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

In loving memory
April 16, 1961 – January 31, 2024

Karen is survived by her husband Neil Bod, her sisters Wanda Atkinson, Tammy (Lyle) Bestward and her brothers Bill (Roberta) Downs and Jason Warman,  and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents, nephews Benjamin Atkinson, Oscar Atkinson and her niece Hannah Atkinson.

Karen spent pretty much all her working life in the hospitality industry, which she loved.  She was loved by all she had contact with, be it friends, co-workers, bosses, or customers.

She was a beautiful soul who left us all too soon.
She will be loved and missed until the end of time.

The Celebration of Karen’s life will be held at 1pm on Sunday, February 18, 2024 in the Pogue Mahone, 843 Desmond St., Kamloops.

Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

It is with great sadness that the family of Melvin Harold Harbak, born on August 15, 1956, announces his passing on January 1, 2024. He is survived by his loving mother, Patricia; partner, Shellie; daughters, Tennille (John) and Tasha (Jay); grandchildren, Rhiley, Breanna, Katarina, Haley, Kohen, and Mya; great-granddaughter, Raelynn; siblings, Carol, Elaine (Jim), Sheryl (Calvin), and Stan (Rayma); and numerous nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Mel was predeceased by his wife, Marilyn; sister, Shirley; and brother-in-law, Larry.

Mel loved spending his time with loved ones. He always enjoyed dancing and would lighten up the room with his swift moves and crazy wool socks. He brought smiles and laughter and left lasting impressions wherever he went. He will be greatly missed but will live in our hearts forever.

The family will hold a Celebration of Life later this year.

“Dad, may your rhythm never fade,
and your spirit forever keep us dancing!”

Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com