MORTON:Thomas Archie
Thomas Archie Morton passed away on June 10, 2013 at the Humboldt District Hospital at the age of 93. Tom was born March 11, 1920 to Charlie & Annie Morton at the Wimmer District near Quill Lake, SK. He attended Crocus Vale School and helped on the family farm. In July 1941 he joined the R.C.A.F. On February 14, 1942 he married Zena (Nelson) who followed him from Brandon, MB, to Montreal and then Pat Bay, BC. Tom graduated to flight engineer and was posted in St. John's NL, until the war was over and they returned home. Tom and Zena moved to Birch Hills in 1945, and in May 1948 their son Dale was born. In March 1950, Tom began his lifelong passion as a businessman by purchasing the Massey Harris business in Quill Lake. He and his partner, Mike Mycholuk, operated Lakeside Sales Ltd. until 1968 when they began a hog operation under Skylark Farms Ltd. These were just a few of the countless business adventures Tom would pursue in his lifetime. They sold out in 1979 and Tom and Zena moved to Humboldt, SK. During this time they loved travelling the world in their motor home, going to many dances and events across the province and visiting with friends and family. He was kept busy by lending a hand at the Englefeld Hotel where Dale, Carol, and their growing family lived. He had 3 grandchildren born through these years, Trina, Ryan and Kyla. After the family purchased the Quill Lake Hotel in 1991, Tom and Zena moved to Quill Lake where his handyman techniques kept him busy. Donna and Chelsea joined the family in 1995 and in 2001 a granddaughter Taylor blessed the family. He kept active in the community and was a committed member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Quill Lake Branch. Tom was a very hard working man throughout his entire life and you had better not be seen sitting around while there was work to be done! He enjoyed many gatherings, community outings, Legion events, and most of all visiting with many friends and family. He always got a good chuckle out of his visits with the great grandchildren. Tom was able to live at home until 2012 when failing health forced him to become a resident of the Quill Plains Centennial Lodge in Watson. Although he was not a fan of having to be there, he never complained and said he was being well taken care of. He was predeceased by his parents, siblings, wife Zena and son Dale. Tom will be sadly missed by good friend, Elsie Coffyne, daughter in law, Donna Marriott, grandchildren Trina (Jason) Gabriel (Kadence and Tayden); Ryan (Jodie) Morton (Jaxon, Jorja and Jetlyn); Kyla Morton(Tyler Hordos); Chelsea Gorrie and Taylor Morton; sisters in law- Leeta (Mike) Tucker, Myrtle Jones, Doris (Ron) Leavins, Loretta McConnell and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Services were held Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the Quill Lake Community Hall with Terry Tompkins officiating. A special reading was delivered by the Grandchildren and music was provided by the Quill Lake Community Choir and Debbie Ingram. Chelsea Gorrie and Taylor Morton attended to the Guest Book. Honor Guard was the Royal Canadian Legion. Active Pallbearers were: Jason Gabriel, Trina Gabriel, Ryan Morton, Jodie Henrikson, Tyler Hordos and Kyla Morton. Honorary Pallbearers were members of the Quill Lake Legion and all who shared in Tom's life. Interment followed at the Quill Lake Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Terry Tompkins Funeral Home, Wadena, Sk.
