Gary Tallman

Gary Donald Tallman of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Alice, passed away peacefully at St. Michael’s Health Centre on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at the age of 76 years.

Gary was born on October 27, 1947, in Estevan, Saskatchewan to parents Lester and Gladys Tallman. When he was very young, the family moved to the southern interior of British Columbia, and he spent the rest of his growing up years there. As a young man, he worked many different jobs in B.C., then Ontario for a short time, and then in Alberta. While working in Edmonton at a game farm, he met Loretta Kovacs working at the tourist store. They married in 1967 and shortly after moved to Grinrod, B.C. to run a tourist store at Mara Lake. Graham joined their family in 1971 and then Cheryl in 1973. After a very long battle with cancer, Loretta passed away in 1976. In 1977, Gary moved to Sexsmith, Alberta where he attended Peace River Bible Institute for 1 year. Following the end of that year, he married Alice Friesen, and she became the instant mother of Graham and Cheryl. They lived in Clairmont, Alberta for a very short time, where their daughter Lana was born, and then Gary decided that he wanted to go farming with his dad and brother-in-law in Hudson's Hope, B.C. area. In 1981, their youngest son Brian joined the family. They lived in Hudson's Hope for 9 years. After farming for a few short years, he was hired with multiple B.C government departments. When the government downsized, Gary was offered a job as a commercial transport inspector in Sparwood, B.C. He took it and worked there for 19 years before taking early retirement in 2004. He got to fulfill a dream of his to own land and raise animals when he and Alice bought a parcel of land outside of Moyie, B.C. after his retirement. His happiest years were spent on that little farm, thoroughly enjoying living in the mountains and being with his animals. Unfortunately, Gary developed some serious health concerns after several years of living there, and he and Alice both felt that they needed to move. So, after 13 years of living in Moyie, they moved to Lethbridge, Alberta in August 2020 to be in the same city as their daughter, Lana, and her family. The last 3.5 years of Dad's life was very difficult as he battled mounting health concerns. He talked so often of wanting to go to heaven and how excited he was to meet Jesus. As a family, we are so very grateful that the Lord took him to glory after a very brief stay in the hospital and then palliative care. He will be remembered as a stubborn man with a generous heart, and one that loved Jesus and loved his family very, very much.

Besides his wife, Alice, Gary is survived by his daughters, Cheryl Eilene (Ivan), and Lana Annelle (Luc); his sons Graham Dean (Julie), and Brian Lee (Brooke); his grandchildren Samuel, Gabriella, Phoebe, Stephanie (Luke), Melina (Franco), Matthew, Julia, Aislynn, Amelia, Griffin and Arya; his great-grandchildren Adelina and Guilana; his sister Sharon (Jim); his brothers Oren (Linda), Wes (Lois), and Harvey (Veronica), as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

Gary was predeceased by his parents Lester & Gladys; his first wife Loretta; his sisters Verna and Brenda and his grandson Eden Isaac.

A Visitation will be held at 9:30 am, on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610, 4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta.

A Funeral Service will follow at 10:00 am, on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Pastor Craig Webber, officiating. Interment will follow in Archmount Cemetery. To watch the service via livestream, please go to https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/Gary-Tallman

Flowers are gratefully accepted.

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