My Brother John

 John Andrew Ulrich
1940.10.23 — 2020.11.20

 

John was born in Fort St. John, British Columbia on October 23, 1940. He departed from this life on November 20, 2020 in Lake Country, British Columbia, and spent his early years on the family farm in the Two Rivers district. In 1946, the family moved to a farm near Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan. John began his education at Bar Hill School. He later attended Radville Christian College and Western Christian College for his high school years, completing his schooling in 1958. John worked at a variety of jobs over the next few years, including working with his father on the family farm near Fairlight, Saskatchewan. In 1964, he settled on work in the oil drilling industry, beginning that career in the Estevan, Saskatchewan area. During those years he met and married Diane Holstein in 1965. His only child, Margaret Marie was born in 1966. John and Diane eventually divorced. John’s oil career developed quickly and he soon graduated to become a driller. This provided many work opportunities in North America and the world. He spent several years drilling in Iran, Iraq and Libya in the 1970s and 1980s. In the early 1980s, he met Marion. They married in 1983, and established their residence in Kelowna, and later on Lake Okanagan in Lake Country, British Columbia. In the early 1980s, John had established his own drilling engineering consulting company in Leduc, Alberta, specializing in horizontal drilling of oil wells. He was able to maintain a comfortable work schedule of his choosing until the decline in the energy industry in the 21st century brought about a marked decline in drilling activity. 

John was predeceased by his wife Diane, his wife Marion, and by Marion’s son, Richard. He is survived by his daughter Margaret Riel (Scott), and grand daughter, Victoria.

Lovingly remembered by his siblings: Verner (Linda) of Garland TX; Tom (Mariette) of Winnipeg MB; Viggo (Nancy) of Rowlett TX; Bill (Wendy) of Thunder Bay ON; Marie Worden (Daniel) of Washington DC; and foster brother Jim Whitney (Carol) of Sylvan Lake AB, along with their children and grand children.

Also forever cherished by Marion’s children: Judy Halliday of Vernon BC; Lorraine Tuckwood (Terry) of Kelowna BC, Howard (Penny) of Armstrong BC; Gail Middleton (John) of Redding CA, Kari Natsuhara (Stan) of Vernon BC, Lori Ketola (Tim Fontaine) of Summerland BC, and daughter-in-law, Gail Ketola of Kelowna BC, along with their children, grand children, and great grand children.

Cremation has taken place, but due to Covid-19 a celebration of his life has been deferred to a later date.

In lieu of flowers a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society or other charity of your choice would be appreciated.