MR. GEORGE COUTTS passed away in Lethbridge on Monday, December 31, 2012 at the age of 94 years.

George was born on August 26, 1918 in the town of Wishaw, District of Cambusnethan, County of Lanark, Scotland. George emigrated to Canada with his mother Christina and five of his siblings in 1921. His father James Douglas Coutts had emigrated to Lethbridge a year earlier and sent funds for their passage.

After attending schools in Lethbridge he apprenticed as an electrician receiving his journeyman's just after the outbreak of World War II. George enlisted in the armed services on September 22, 1941 and was discharged from the 39th Field Battery on February 12, 1946, after active service in the United Kingdom and Continental Europe at the rank of Battery Sergeant Major.

Upon return he married Verna (Snowden) in 1946, established a home in Lethbridge, became an electrician, and operated an electrical contracting business with a partner for many years before taking employment as electrician for the City of Lethbridge Power Plant and later with the Department of Transport as the chief electrician for the Lethbridge Airport, from which he retired in 1983.

Golf was George's passion and following his retirement he spent many years on the golf links and was one of the original shareholders of the Henderson Lake Golf Club in 1961. George scored a hole-in-one in 1991 at the Henderson Lake Golf Club and his Hole-in-One Certificate from Molson's was a fond memory. In recent years George's many golfing buddies were instrumental in getting him out onto the course, correcting his score-card, and in keeping him on time for their weekly Friday breakfast meetings. Over the years George was a member of the Kiwanis and Elks Clubs, and the Canadian Legion.

George was predeceased by his loving wife of 42 years Verna Coutts on July 18, 1988. From a family of five sisters (Allison, Evelyn, Christina, Margaret, and Jemima) and one brother (William), his sister Evelyn Chenery of Victoria, BC survives.

George is survived by his two sons Terry (Maureen) Coutts of White Rock, BC and Brian (Karen) Coutts of Bowling Green, Kentucky; granddaughters Heather and Megan; long-time companion Joyce Long; and by his many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Family and friends are invited to attend a public graveside service on March 16, 2013 at the Mountain View Cemetery. Further details will be announced closer to the service date.