1936 - 2022
Ralph Ellis Paton passed away suddenly at the Olds Hospital on Monday, February 7, 2022 at the age of 85 years after battling severe health problems for many years. Ralph was born in Olds on May 20, 1936 and raised on the family farm in the Eagle Hill District. He was the youngest of four sons born to his parents, Orval and Avis Paton. He completed his early schooling at Vale View, a nearby country school.
Always adventuresome by nature, he left home at age 16 and worked on various farms in southern Alberta and Ontario. He then spent many years working in the oil patch on drilling rigs and other oil field related jobs in Alberta, B.C., the Yukon, Alaska, New Zealand and Australia. In the early 60's, he opted for a quieter life. He returned to Olds and a job at a local garage led to a decision to apprentice as a motor mechanic in 1963. He completed the required training and schooling in 1967 and continued working as a mechanic at the Olds Garage. He also married Shirley Billings, a local girl, in 1964.
In late 1967, the urge to travel returned, and he and Shirley spent the next eighteen months travelling and working in Australia and New Zealand. Following their return to Olds, they resumed their previous jobs there and a short while later, bought an old farm northwest of Olds. As well as farming, Ralph continued to mechanic at a farm equipment garage. His daughter Adrienne Tara was born in 1970. After selling the farm in 1975, Ralph and family moved to Eckville, a small central Alberta town west of Red Deer where he began a new career in the oil and gas industry as a pipeline maintenance technician until his retirement in 1990. That same year, Ralph and Shirley moved back to Eagle Hill and lived on the Paton family farm which they had purchased some years before. As well as farming, Ralph continued contract oilfield maintenance work for several years. Increasing health problems led to full retirement and a move back to Olds in 2012.
Ralph was a hard worker who enjoyed sports, especially golf, travelling, new experiences and socializing with friends and family. A man of strong opinions, he also had a wonderful, quirky sense of humour, was a good friend and a devoted family man.
He will be deeply missed by Shirley, his wife of 57 years, daughter Adrienne and her husband, Carlos Morgado. Ralph is survived by his older brother, Donald Paton (Ruth) as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Ralph was predeceased by two brothers, Douglas and Robert and by his parents, Orval and Avis Paton. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your charity of choice. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Olds entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be made or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com
