Wray Ian McCallum of Lomond passed away on Sept 10, 2020 in Medicine Hat at the age of 67.
Ian was born August 18, 1953, third child of seven born to Wray and Helen McCallum of Queenstown. He attended school in Milo until he went on to high school in Vulcan. After high school Ian moved to Lomond to work on the farm for his brother-in-law, Don Beagle and sister, Joyce. After working for them for a few years he purchased three quarters of land from the Dept. of Lands and Forests. He continued working for Don and farmed his own land as well. Through the years there were 3 more quarters of land added as well as the development of irrigation on the farm. In 1999 a new house was built on land east of Badger Lake where Ian lived until his passing.
In 1977, Ian married Denise Teasdale of Lomond. Together they raised 3 children on the family farm they built.
Ian always loved hockey. He started on the rink his dad built at their home near Queenstown. He started his minor hockey in Milo and finished his last years in Gleichen. After minor hockey there was no junior team to play for so Ian started playing with the Vulcan Wheat Kings Senior Men’s team at the age of 17. Through the years he went on to play for the Circle Hill Coronas, the Lomond Lakers, the Lomond Merchant Rec team and the Lomond Oldtimers.
As well as playing, Ian was also a dedicated coach. He was involved in coaching at least one of his sons every year of their minor hockey career. He coached basically every age group from mighty mite to Sr. Men’s winning league championships and provincial playoffs along the way. All over southern Alberta there are men young and old who know Ian as “Coach”.
As well as his wife, Denise, Ian is survived by his daughter Carla and granddaughter Paityn of Brooks, son Derek (Joanna) of Calgary and son Dennis of Lethbridge. He is also survived by sisters, Joyce (Don) of Victoria, Grace (Eric) and Janice (Hugh) of Vulcan, Rhonda of Lethbridge, and Shari (Dan) of Carmangay and brother Glenn of Queenstown as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents.
Any tributes in Ian’s memory can be made to the Lomond Arena Building Fund (L.C.C.A.S.), Box 264, Lomond, AB. T0L1G0. For further information, to send flowers or to leave a message of sympathy, please visit www.thomsfuneralhome.com or call (403) 501-1010.
