"The opportunity to serve" is the highest compliment McInnis & Holloway could receive.
Phone: 403-243-8200
Text: 403-256-9575
Celebration of Life
Obituary of Gordon Jasper
June 4, 1948 - Calgary, Alberta
December 23, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta
William Gordon Jasper passed away, in the loving arms of his wife and family, on Friday, December 23, 2022, at the age of 74 years.
Gordon had courageously journeyed for fourteen years through Alzheimer’s Disease, with Marilee by his side. Gord’s deepest and greatest love was for his family. He was so proud of his two children and three grandchildren, and their many talents and accomplishments, he was always present to support them and cheer them on. He was a devoted and passionate teacher, loved by thousands of students whom he taught over his 36-year career with the Calgary Board of Education. Gord loved to be involved with his students in school extracurricular activities such as student council, yearbook committee, and grad committee; he coached girls’ basketball for most of his teaching career as well as coaching junior boys’ football, while at E.P. Scarlett. Gord co-authored five biology textbooks and teacher resources for junior and senior high schools in Alberta and Ontario. He helped to develop a water quality monitoring program with students for the Alberta Environment. Most summers were spent working as a gate supervisor at the Calgary Stampede, employing many of his students, neighbour kids, nieces, nephews, and Matt. He loved to travel with Marilee and was so blessed to be able to travel widely, after his retirement from teaching in 2007. Gordon loved his church and loved to sit right by the choir to enjoy the spiritual music which meant so much to him. An avid fly fisherman, we pray that he is peacefully in harmony with his fishing rod in his hand, watching the ripples on some heavenly river.
Gordon is lovingly remembered by his wife of 52 years Marilee, two children, Christine (Stuart) Gannon and Matthew (Toni) Jasper; grandchildren, Taya and Madyson Gannon and Colt Jasper; brother Rob (Brenda) Jasper, sister Lori English, sister-in-law Donna Denommee, and brother-in-law Joe (Kendra) Shelle, as well as his nieces and nephews, Kat and Karen Jasper, Raina and Travis English, Brent (Shannon) Johnston, Kari (Shane) Rompfer, and Mikhaila and Emily Shelle; and by his great-nieces and great-nephews, Jordyn, Lucas and Zachary Rompfer, and Maggie and Alison Johnston. He is also survived by many cousins, godchildren, and friends. Gord was predeceased by his mother Pearl, and father Homer Jasper.
A Celebration of Gord’s Life will be held at Hillhurst United Church (1227 Kensington Close N.W., Calgary, AB) on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. Reception to follow in the “Heritage Room” at Hillhurst United Church. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, AB T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com, or to the Bethany Care Foundation - Bethany Riverview at www.bethanycarefoundation.com.
Gordon’s family is so grateful to all the caregivers and workers at Bethany Riverview who so gently and compassionately cared for Gordon these last four and a half years; they are like our second family. Thanks also to the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary, and to the Memory PLUS facilitators and families who have supported us on this journey through dementia. We are so grateful!
In living memory of Gordon Jasper, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.
