Obituary of Roy McCord

November 3, 1940 – Lacombe, Alberta

August 26, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

Roy McCord, beloved partner of Jackie VanMaarion of Carstairs, AB, passed away peacefully with his three children and Jay by his bedside on Friday, August 26, 2022, at the age of 81 years.

 

Roy was born in Lacombe, AB, on November 3, 1940. Roy spent his younger years in Nordegg, AB, before moving to Red Deer, AB. He graduated from Lindsay Thurber Composite High School. He then attended college, before moving on to play music professionally. As a professional musician, Roy moved to Calgary, AB and then onto Edmonton, AB, playing in a couple of different bands. He settled down with Ingrid Hoogenboom in 1969 and raised their three children in the Calgary area. In 2006, Roy met Jackie VanMaarion and moved to Carstairs, AB. Roy and Jackie embraced each other’s children and welcomed seven grandchildren together. Roy accomplished much throughout his life but was always most proud of his children and grandchildren.

 

Over the years Roy wore many hats and was employed as a professional musician and music teacher, truck driver, insurance agent, sales manager, and park manager.

 

Roy enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, and a cold beer on the deck. Roy always had a special passion for music and was a talented bass player. Most recently, he was a founding member of the band “Not Exactly Serious.” The band members appreciated Roy sharing his musical expertise.

 

Roy had many favourite sayings. Three of his absolute favourites were, “First, biggest, and most,” as anyone who has fished with him knows; “Country’s fine, but we should add a little more Rock ’n Roll,” which he frequently said while playing with his band; and “Your Dad loves you,” as he always made sure his children and grandchildren knew how much he loved them.

 

Roy will be most remembered for his love of the outdoors and music, his patience and ability to teach people, his kind, patient, and caring manner, and for being himself. What you saw is what you got with Roy.

 

Roy will be sadly and lovingly missed by all those he spent time with. He really took the time for people and enjoyed life, whether it was having a cold beer with a brother or neighbour and telling a good joke, playing bass in his band, teaching a niece how to drive, his children how to light a campfire, his grandchildren how to fish, or enjoying a rum while strumming his guitar and singing Christmas carols with family.

 

Roy is brother to Dwayne (Bertha) McCord of Granisle, BC, Fred (Betty) McCord of Ottawa, ON, Jeanie McCord of Calgary, AB, Jim (Lynn) McCord of Kelowna, BC, Gary (Roberta) McCord of Aldergrove, BC, Cheryl (Jim) Bolander of Panoka, AB, Brian (Cheryl) McCord of Calgary, AB, Cheryl (Wayne) McCord Harrison of Stettler, AB, and Vickie McCord of Stettler, AB. Roy will be fondly missed and cherished by his cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He will be respectfully remembered by Jay, Francesca, Petrina, and Jeanette van Nieuwstadt of Calgary, AB.

 

Roy is survived by his loving partner Jackie VanMaarion of Carstairs, AB; his sons, Shawn (Liana) McCord of Chestermere, AB, and Chris McCord of Kimberley, BC; daughter, Kimberley (Dan) McCord of Calgary, AB; stepsons, Jesse (Michelle) Moser of Calgary, AB, and Daniel (Beverley) Moser of Calgary, AB; granddaughters, Leah McCord, and Marysa McCord; and step-grandchildren, Konnor Moser, Dayton Moser, Liam Moser, Charlotte Moser, and Isabella Moser.

 

Roy was predeceased by his mother Bertha Jean Orum Featherstone, his father George Henry McCord, his stepfather Hiawatha Bolander, as well as his grandparents, Augustus (Nelly nee Orum) Featherstone and Roy (Mary nee Brown) McCord.

 

A poem Roy’s family thought he would enjoy:

 

Slow Dance

Have you ever watched kids

On a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain

Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.

Don’t dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won’t last…

 

Do you run through each day

On the fly?

When you ask How are you?

Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done

Do you lie in your bed

With the next hundred chores

Running through your head?

You’d better slow down.

Don’t dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won’t last…

 

Ever told your child

We’ll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste,

Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,

Let a good friendship die

Cause you never had time

To call and say, ‘Hi’

You’d better slow down.

Don’t dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won’t last...

 

When you run so fast to get somewhere

You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,

It is like an unopened gift...

Thrown away.

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower.

Hear the music.

Before the song is over.

 

 

Roy’s family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to family, friends, and colleagues for the tremendous support they received. Thank you to the Foothills Hospital staff (notably Dr. Labrie) for their compassionate care. Thank you to Jackie and her sons, Jesse and Dan, for their love and commitment.

 

A special thank you to Kim from Shawn and Chris for the amazing care she provided, and love she showed for our father in his last days. Doctors and nurses commented on the level of love and support Roy’s children and family gave him.

 

A Celebration of Life will be planned for Roy. Details to follow, please check back here or contact Chris McCord via email: c.mccord13@outlook.com.

 

In living memory of Roy McCord, a tree will be planted in the Ann Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes.