ROLAND AGAR

ROLAND AGAR January 13, 1931 – May 13, 2024
It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Roland Agar on Monday, May 13, 2024, at the age of 93 years. A beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. Roland departed this world surrounded by his family at River Ridge Seniors Village in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Roland joined his beautiful wife of almost 70 years, Jean, only 7 weeks after her passing.

Roland was predeceased by his parents, Wilfred and Emma Agar (nee Adams); son, Glenn Agar; grandson, Kade Anderson; siblings, Dorothy (Charles) Lightfoot, Irene (Mel) Archibald, Audrey (Ralph) Beamish, Jean (Lloyd) Germyn, John (Maude) Agar, Walter (Patricia) Agar, Arthur (Mavis) Agar and Odile (Orville) Borgerson and son-in-law, Dean Sanderson.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Marjorie (Ted) Gilchrist, Linda (Harold) Anderson, Sharon (Dave) Milburn, and Karen Sanderson. He will also be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren and their families: Ryan (Stacey) Gilchrist and their children, Carter, Hudson, and Lennon; Michelle Matthews and her children, Thomas (Katie) Brazil (with children Rylan and Eden), Melody Brazil (with son, Axel), Graham Matthews, Walker Matthews, and Mavrik Matthews; Bobbi-Jo (Gary) Anderson-Hill; Luree (Mark) Weisbeck and their children, Augustus and Casey; Shakia-Lee Milburn; Dayna (Tim) Craddock and their children, Crosby and Nash; Tayler (Mandie) Sanderson and their children, Sawyer and Arianna. Additionally, he will be remembered by Glenn’s wife, Louise Agar; their children and their families: Desirea Agar and her children, Emma and William; Devina (Richard) Berger and their children, Tanner, Levi, and Henry; and Austin Agar. Roland is also survived by his siblings, Rose (Robert) Redden and Robert (Sherry) Agar.

Roland Bernard Agar was born to Wilfred and Emma Agar on January 13, 1931, in the family farm house near Ravenscraig, SK where he would later start his own family. The 7th child in a family of 11, he learned quickly how to stand on his own two feet! He went to school just three miles down the road at Farewell Creek school until the age of 14 when he chose instead to begin working on the family farm. At 17, he ventured to Brooks, AB to work on a threshing crew. Following that he continued west to Vancouver, BC where he found work at the saw mills. It didn’t take long for him to realize his heart was in the prairies and by spring he returned to Ravenscraig where he eventually took over the family farm in 1950, at the age of 19. In 1953, he met the love of his life, Jean and they were married in 1954. Shortly thereafter, they started their family of five; Marjorie, Linda, Sharon, Karen and Glenn.

As his family grew, so too did his aspirations, and in 1960, he bought a quarter of land near Consul, SK. Here he meticulously broke, leveled and seeded the land to hay and started building a new home for his family. Two years later, he finished building that home and moved his family to Consul. That same year, he turned his sights on the hills of Merryflat and partnered to purchase the Eva Gaff ranch, later nicknamed the Ponderosa.

Roland loved his way of life as a rancher and all that goes with it; irrigating, haying, branding, finishing cattle in the feedlot, and improving the land and what it could grow. He embraced progressive ideas through use of harvest systems and pivots, growing an abundance of feed.

He enjoyed attending and supporting community events and dances, as well as cheering on the local ball and hockey teams. When it came to his children and grandchildren, he was a proud cheerleader always attending all of their sporting events. He loved spending time with family at gatherings, visiting with friends and neighbors, and playing cards with young and old.

Involved in his community, he served on the Vidora Water Users Board, PFRA committee and the local Consul School board for many years. He was always able to strike up a conversation with anyone, whether it be along the side of the road or in a cafe with a complete stranger.

He had a true commitment to getting to know people. He was truly curious to learn their life stories, and also share a few of his own. It was through his genuine curiosity that he developed lasting relationships with many who crossed his path. His natural charisma led him to play practical jokes, teasing the grandkids or bantering with friends. He loved to share his wit and wisdom with the kids saying things like; don’t take any wooden nickels, go out and enjoy yourself but don’t be a fool, and if you’re going to do it, do it right the first time.

Roland loved his children dearly and instilled the value of a good work ethic. He knew that work is more than just doing chores, that it’s a commitment to oneself, to family, and to community. He showed them that the key to a life well lived comes from finding purpose and sharing it with those you love.

May you rest in peace Roland, you will be dearly missed and remembered by your family and friends. Your legacy lives on through the countless lives you touched.

A Celebration of Roland’s life will be held at the Consul Community Hall, Consul, SK., on Monday, May 27, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.. Interment will follow in the Consul Cemetery.
(Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com) Memorial donations in Roland’s name may be made directly to the Consul Community Hall, PO Box 43 Consul, SK, S0N 0P0. Honoured to serve the family is

Cook Southland Funeral
Chapel Crematorium &
Reception Facility
901 – 13th Street S.W.
Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4
Phone 403-527-6455
www.cooksouthland.com
“Locally owned & directed”