Obituary of John Tingley

TINGLEY: John William, passed away on February 17, 2005, at the age of 90 years, at the Jubilee Home, Lloydminster. John is survived by three children: Jack and (Sharon), their children: Shane and (Suzann), Taylor, Alex, and Hannah. Jackie and (Rob) Dunham, Madison and Joshua. Jodi and (Ted) Davies, John and William. Donna and (Scott) Eichel, their children: Garth and Grandson Rowan, Brehn and (Gillian). Helen and (Bob) Ambler, their children: Wanda and (Michael) Kowalchuk, Michaela and Lara. Scott Ambler, Bobbi Jo and (Jim) Gaetz, and Jaxon, Tara Ambler. A memorial service was held at the Lloydminster Stockade Convention Centre on February 23, 2005. Interment followed at the Lloydminster City Cemetery, Reverend Harold Martin officiating. Tribute from the Grandchildren by Shane Tingley On behalf of the Grandchildren, I would like to give a special tribute to Grandpa Tingley. One of the things that we all came to realize, when we were kids, was the respect that people held for him. There is nothing that we are more proud of than being the Grandchildren of John Tingley. He has inspired all of us to be our very best in life and to enjoy it to the fullest. Whether he was selling a tractor, playing his piano, flying his airplane, or looking after Grandma when she was ill, he always approached things with enthusiasm and pride. He approached all of his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren with the same pride and enthusiasm, giving all of us many fond, happy memories. It’s very nice to see all of you’re here today. He would always tell us stories about all the people he knew, and it was evident how much he enjoyed people and the community. We truly believe that Grandpa Tingley has made us all better people. We would like to say “Thank you Grandpa.” We all love you dearly, give Grandma a hug from us all. Eulogy by John Kelly John was born to Alex and Freda Tingley on June 4, 1914. He had no brothers and his only sister Anita was born two years earlier. They attended school in Lloyd in the beginning, then Blackfoot school for a while and finished in Lloydminster. Once out of school John stayed home to help his Dad on the farm. He had been quite an enthusiastic hockey player, and also loved the water and had become a very powerful swimmer. He was also musically inclined and when he was about 19, he took a year of piano lessons. He studied music theory on his own and became one of the most capable piano players in the area. He practiced and studied and was in great demand to play in dance bands. He played piano in several groups but his favorite was Bill and his Border Boys. This was a group that included Bill Warmington, Nobby Mallett, Gib Amundrud, Bob Baynton and John on the piano. This group in one shape or another stayed together in the neighborhood for 15 years or more. Now while this was going on John delevoped in to a very successful farmer and stockman. His social life was always active and at a country dance in Westminster Park School he noticed a very charming lady - Kathleen Bently. They were married on March 19, 1935 and three children resulted: Helen in 1937, Donna in 1941 and Jack in 1944. John took over the farm from his dad in the late 1930's when his dad retired. He expanded the farm and the herd over time. His capability for hard work and long hours was well known. Contrasting this with his love of a good time, he became quite well known. Around this time, they started a marching band in Lloydminster. Musical standards were high. John taught himself to play a trombone and was accepted into the band. At Rotary dances and similar functions he was always the piano player who played the national anthem or whatever was required. He loved family get togethers and was usually the life of the party. Then in 1957, while discussing a deal with Paul Devrome, the Lloydminster John Deer dealer, he learned that Devrome was in poor health and was going to sell out. That night he had a big discussion with Kay about how, if he sold his cows, he would have enough for the down payment. When Kay expressed reservations, he played his favorite ace - which was “The Lord hates a coward.” This always worked, and it worked then. The next day John was in the farm machinery business. Throughout his farming career he had three longtime wishes or prayers. The first was a prayer for a spray to kill wild oats. Next, he prayed for a spray to make rocks disappear. Finally, he wanted to own his own farm machinery dealership, because he thought he would get machinery a lot cheaper. He had already learned that wild oat spray, when it came to be, was quite expensive, and that there was no easy way of dealing with the rock problem. Now, he found out that owning your own dealership didn’t solve the machinery problems either. Things were soon humming at Tingley Implements. In the early 70's John Deere started a policy of recognizing outstanding dealers by awarding plaques. For about three years it was the Million Dollar Club plaque. Then for a while the Two Million Dollar plaque, then the Three Million Dollar Club. Tingley Implements were always right in there, and were top in sales more than once. During this boom in machine pricing and sales, a cloud came over the scene. Prices were rising on new machinery quite fast and it wasn’t unusual for used second hand machines to sell for more, a year or two later, than they had cost new. This meant that dealers were, in some instances, getting a lot more money for the trade-ins than they had allowed. John thought this was unfair, and didn’t like it. So, in those cases he refunded the extra to the customer. During this period, he also instituted a policy of bonusing his employees after a good year (a policy that is still in effect today). His honesty and straight forward fairness to both customers and staff became legendary. Service at any time of the day or night was the norm. 1977 was twenty years after he had started and it had gong by like a flash. He decided to retire. Ken Kay, his protégé took over Tingley Implements. Ken was experienced, capable and had spent the last twenty years watching the master at work. No doubt he knew what it was all about. Son, Jack, was doing better than well on the farm. He had rebuilt the cow herd, and was expanding the fence-line. Now was the time to settle back and buy that airplane he had always wanted and learn to fly it. Which he did! Then, among other trips he flew, when he was nearly seventy years old, he and a couple of buddies, Lou Mitchell and Ralph Cooper, flew to the N.W.T. Why? Just because it was there, I think. I remember asking him one day why he had wanted to get into the farm machinery business. He answered “I just wanted to know if I could do it.” Now he finally had time to enjoy things, his family and his airplane. But Kay’s health started to fail and he became a most devoted caregiver. In spite of all, she died in 1996. This was a great loss to John, and he was lonely. He would play his piano for hours on end. By 1998 he decided to try living in the Pioneer Lodge. That didn’t work out, and in 1999 he moved into the Jubilee Home, and was there for the rest of his life. Now, he is gone. A man who loved people and life, a friendly family man, an honest and sincere man. Gone, but not forgotten. Card of Thanks The family of John wish to thank Dr. Cavanagh, Jubilee Staff, We Care & staff, and Brenda Featherstone for the compassionate care over the years. Thank you to McCaw’s for their caring and professional help. To Reverend Harold Martin for a comforting service. To Ken Kay and Agland for providing the vintage John Deer Tractor. To the grandchildren who acted as pallbearers and also to the honorary pallbearers. To John Kelly who gave the eulogy and to Shane Tingley for the tribute from the grandchildren. To Jeanine Hatchard for her lovely rendition of “Til We Meet Again,” Also, to Irene Knowlson (accompanist) and the United Church Choir who sang “When The Saints Go Marching In.” To the staff at the Stockade Convention Centre for a lovely lunch. Also, to all those who sent flowers, food and support to our homes, and those who made donations in John’s memory. To Sharon Tingley for making an extra special and beautiful casket spray. With help from everyone in attendance we thank everyone for making this a true celebration of John’s life. Jack & Sharon and Family Donna & Scott and Family Helen & Bob and Family Donations in memory of John may be made to the Lloyd Region Health Foundation, the Jubilee Home Patient Comfort Fund or to the Alzheimer's Society.