November 3, 1934 – January 12, 2021
A lifelong educator, community service leader and caring, gentle man, Mr. Kenneth ‘Ken’ Farley Fulton left us at the age of 86 years. Born in Drumheller, raised and schooled in the farming community of Delia, Alberta, Ken went on in his life to pursue his passion for people and numbers through teaching and accounting. He held the positions of Teacher and Principal in several communities in Alberta and BC; before settling in Innisfail, where he happily filled the positions of Vice-Principal and Principal of Spruce View School for eighteen years. At the same time, Ken was proud to be a citizen of Innisfail for forty-three years.
Ken always enjoyed being part of a community and meeting new people. After retirement, Ken’s skills and interests led him to Community Service, being elected to positions on the local school board, town council and as Mayor of Innisfail, for two terms. He also enjoyed serving in many positions with the Innisfail Lions Club; where he was honoured with a Melvin Jones Fellowship and two Lion of the Year Awards. As well, he served as Treasurer for the Innisfail Curling Club and Christmas Bureau, and as Board Member and Treasurer for: Big Brothers and Big Sisters, United Church, Historical Village and Collective Kitchen - all of Innisfail. Many of these positions were held simultaneously. After retiring as Mayor, Ken especially enjoyed the position of Returning Officer for Elections Alberta, for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, through four elections. He also ran one election for the Chinook’s Edge School Division. Service to his community was certainly one of his more defining characteristics and earned him the honour of being selected as an Innisfail Citizen of the Year.
Ken loved to read, curl, golf, and keep physically active and spent many hours using his woodworking skills on DIY and home building projects. A devoted father and husband, he was committed to his family. Many holiday destinations, camping trips, mountain hiking excursions and road trips to the cottage with family and friends were highlights. He loved to laugh and make others laugh and was an inspiration to those who met him. Ken especially loved the Christmases and holidays spent with his daughter, Kendal, her husband, Keith, and grand-dogs in Bermuda and Grand Cayman.
In the Fall of 2017, Ken and Linda relocated to Carstairs, a nearby community, where Ken loved their new home and making so many new acquaintances - adults and pets alike.
Left to cherish his wonderful memory is “the love of his life” and wife of fifty-one years, Linda; son-in-law, Keith McCarthy, Grand Cayman; sisters-in-law, Alice Fulton, Salmon Arm; Sheila Froggatt, Vernon; sister-in-law, Holly Dobek and brother-in-law, Ray Dobek, Calgary; and many special nieces and nephews and their families. May his memory be a blessing as he reunites with the “joy of his life”, their daughter, Kendal McCarthy.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Ken’s honour at a later date.
If desired, it was Ken’s wish that Memorial Donations be made to the Innisfail United Church, 4720 - 48 Avenue, Innisfail, Alberta, T4G 1N6 or to the Canadian Cancer Society at www.cancer.ca.
Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd. 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006 Fax: 403.227.6437
