1936 – 2024
Mr. Roy John Scarlett of Red Deer and Innisfail, Alberta passed away at the Innisfail Healthcare Center, Innisfail, Alberta, with his loving family by his side on Friday, January 26, 2024 at the age of 87 years.
Roy was born in Innisfail, Alberta on August 18, 1936. He attended the Little Red Deer School from 1942 to 1952, he then attended Red Deer Composite High School and lived in the dorms on campus.
Once he decided he had enough of school, he entered into the school of hard knocks. Roy got his first job on a neighboring farm while still helping his dad and brother on the family farm. He also tried his hand as a laborer in the construction industry and helped build the John Wilson Elementary School and he was there to dig the foundation for the entrance of the Innisfail Hospital.
In 1955 the Alberta Oil Patch was calling his name. His first job was with ‘Natural Geophysical Seismic’ and then to the big rigs with ‘Hi Tower Drilling’. Roy knew that career was coming to an end as he was preparing to marry his first wife, Darlene MacDonald in 1963. In 1964 Roy left the rigs and got a job with ‘Hudson Bay Oil & Gas’ so he would be able to be home with his family nightly.
Roy and Darlene had three daughters, Cheryl, Leann and Meridel. He lost Darlene in September of 1991 due to cancer. He retired in December of 1991, after holding positions for twenty-seven years with the same company which names had changed (HBOG/Dome/Amoco) but Roy took loyalty seriously and moved with each acquisition. In total Roy spent thirty-six years in the Alberta Oil and Gas Industry. Roy was a VERY proud Oil & Gas man, and we are VERY proud of the hard working and dedicated man he was.
He met Cordy Harrington at a dance at the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion, and it was love at the first twirl. They were married in Innisfail on February 2, 1994. Roy enjoyed his retirement years with Cordy by his side, golfing, traveling the world, curling, and dancing. Roy was so pleased to say he married two amazing women. He absolutely adored his wives and would move mountains for them if he could.
With seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren, there was never a dull moment. They were at every birthday celebration and family holiday gatherings. We would be remiss in not including hockey games, concerts, swim meets, some BMX races and some camping trips. Roy loved his grandchildren and enjoyed watching them and was happy to see them grow up to be respectable young adults. Each of them will go through life with behaviors that their Grandfather modeled and taught them.
Roy will be Lovingly remembered by his wife, Cordy Scarlett, and her daughter, Karen Harrington, his daughters, Cheryl Friesen (John) and her children, Austin Giles (Ryley), Harmony Giles; Leann Scarlett and her children, Jordan Riguidel, Kayd Riguidel (Drew Colbourne) and their dad, Gord Riguidel; Meridel Layden (Garth), their children, Ardelle Layden (Michael Franklin); and his great grandchildren, Scarlett and Oliver, Elliott Layden (Ashley), and Quinn Layden (Brittni Steeves), as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Roy was predeceased by his first wife, Darlene Scarlett, his siblings, Alice Hoar, Myrtle Puddifant, Edwin Scarlett and Cordy's son, David Harrington.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Auditorium, #1 5108 - 49 Avenue, Innisfail, Alberta on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. If desired, Memorial Donations in Roy’s honor may be made to the Wellspring Cancer Support at www.wellspringalberta.ca, as Roy's family has been affected by cancer, this was a charity he whole heartily supported. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006
