It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ray Simanton on January 28, 2025.

Ray passed away suddenly at Chinook Regional Hospital.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Ann; his children Tom Simanton and LaDonna (Lorne) Hammel; his 8 loving grandchildren: Meagan (Mike), Kristin (Dylan), Cale, Tristan, Janelle (Anthony), Darian V, Talynn (Darion L), Katelan (Darian W); 4 great grandchildren; brothers Ron Simanton, Vern (Val) Simanton; sister Shirley (Richard) Walters; sister-in-law Edie Simanton; brother-in-law Tom (Beth) Harty; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ray was predeceased by his parents Ed and Hazel Simanton; parents-in-law Tom and Bertha Harty; brother Bob Simanton; and sisters-in-law Theresa (Ron) Boyce and Sarah Simanton.

Ray was born in Lethbridge and raised on the family farm near Nemiscam. He had many jobs as a young man along with helping on the family farm. He met Ann (nee Harty) while she was working in Lethbridge, and they were married on May 25, 1968. They purchased a farm a few miles away from the family farm where he was born and raised. They were surprised by the birth of their twins LaDonna and Tom during a blizzardy winter night in February 1972.

Ray farmed with his brother until Vern retired and then continued farming with his son Tom until their auction sale in March 2007. Ray and Ann continued to live on the farm until moving to Lethbridge in 2016.

While farming and raising his children, Ray was very involved in many community organizations in the Foremost area. The 8 grandchildren were his pride and joy. Besides farming, he loved to hunt, boat, waterski, golf and curl. Their yard at the farm was a proud source of accomplishment with many hours of hauling water for the trees and grass, building and maintaining the dirt bike track for the grandkids and harrowing the gravel in the yard.

A Celebration of Ray’s Life will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta.

Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, https://www.heartandstroke.ca/

Cremation entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels.

Celebration of Life

Wednesday

February 5, 2025

1:00PM

Martin Brothers Riverview Chapel

This event will be live-streamed.  Click here to access the video.