1915-2007

MR. ELZA BRUMPTON TUDOR beloved husband of Buella Tudor, passed away on Friday, July 6, 2007 at the age of 92 years.
Elza was born on March 26, 1915 in the Gault Hospital. He was the sixth son of Edward Emerson Tudor and Pearl Reed. He grew up in the Lethbridge and on the homestead in Amiens School District east of Wilson siding. Although his formal education ended early, he strove to educate himself on all manner of the farming industry. He was a progressive farmer having the first rubber tire tractor and the first self propelled combine. He heavily promoted the phone line and electrical power lines in the rural area. He married Buella Forsythe in 1937. They bought the NE half of 36-7-19 west of the 4th. He and his wife set out to break up the grasslands of their new farm. They survived the first few years with lots of hardships. Though he was drafted for the war effort he was redirected to produce food for the country. For several years 1942-1944 Elza worked on the Broder Farms on the pea harvest with his new 102 Massey Tractor at rate of $1/hour for the tractor and $0.45/hour for his work supervising the pea viners. During this time his family was growing and had started school. He spent many years on the school board to insure the best possible education. He made sure the quality of busses and bus routes were the best for the farming students.

By 1953 his interest in flying took him to the Lethbridge Flying Club where Vera Strodel instructed him for his pilot's license. He purchased his first plane in 1954. By 1958 he had bought a new plane for aerial spraying. By this time the farm was a prosperous one.

To overcome the difficulties of grain quotas he engaged in various adventures. He startled the farming communities by planting Russian Wild Rye Grass for seed. By the early eighties the downturn in the energy community and high inflation made farming very difficult. He fully retired in the early 1990's after 70 years of farming.

His attention was turned to writing several poetry books on his experiences as he grew up during the 20th century. He also became a very active member of the Lethbridge Archiological Society and Historical Society.

Elza is survived by his wife Buella of seventy years, a son Lloyd Tudor; daughter Judy Tudor who still live on the homestead; siblings Donna (Allan) Gregor; Patricia (Glenn) Allan; several grandchildren John Gregor, Stephan Gregor, Mike Gregor, Nicole Gregor, Kristi (Darren) Jefferey, Todd Merrick and great-grandchildren Jesse Jefferey, Zachery Jeffferey and Jasmine Jefferey.

Elza was predeceased by Jackie Tudor, Trevor Merrick and Russell Merrick. Elza was the last survivor of the 7 Tudor brothers.

A Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday, July 12, 2007 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4th St. S., Lethbridge. Interment to follow in Mountain View Cemetery.