CRONKHITE, Tom

CRONKHITE

Tom Cronkhite, age 96, passed away on September 2, 2021, at St. Therese Villa in Lethbridge, Alberta.

Tom spent all his years enjoying life in southern Alberta. He was born, the eldest of a set of twins, on January 17, 1925, on his grandmother’s farm just east of New Dayton, Alberta to Otto and Goldie (Cress) Cronkhite.

Tom was raised farming and ranching alongside his parents and siblings in and around New Dayton. He received his education there as well, in a three-room schoolhouse.

In the summer of 1943, at age 18, Tom volunteered to join the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Canadian War Effort in World War II (Tom would rarely refer to this as the war, he always called it “the service”). He trained and served as an Air Gunner, flying 21 missions as a Mid Upper Gunner on the “Sugar’s Blues” Lancaster. Pilot Officer Cronkhite returned home uninjured in June 1945.

From here, Tom furthered his education, taking a mechanics course at SAIT in Calgary. With a love of the land in his heart, Tom then decided to continue farming and ranching on the family farm. He married his sweetheart, Ruth Erickson, on June 30, 1947 on her family farm near Wrentham, Alberta. Their marriage was one to admire as he adored her, the love of his life. Together they raised a family that included four sons and one daughter.

Family was a top priority to Tom; he was always there for and with his family. Tom whole-heartedly loved sports and was a gifted athlete, being somewhat of a local star in his day. He was a proud member of the New Dayton Ramblers basketball team that captured the Alberta Intermediate Men’s Basketball League Championship for seven years straight! He also loved baseball (playing back catcher), golfing, bowling, hunting, curling, trap shooting and fishing – his favourite spot to angle being Cameron Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park. Tom truly enjoyed and appreciated every minute of these activities. Tom and Ruth spent 11 years as “snowbirds” in Mesa, Arizona. They took part in activities like golf and square dancing, along with socializing with friends. His fun-loving, kind, genuine spirit will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.

Left to remember his remarkable legacy are his children Barry (Marjorie) Cronkhite: their children Alisa (Chris) Thomas; Spencer and Dawson, Traci (Rob) Stelten; Lauren (Chad) and Robin (Sean), Jenny (Rick) Seward; Brynne and Amber, Conner Cronkhite. Wayne (Denise) Cronkhite: their children Michelle, Tyler (Tenille) Cronkhite; Maizey, Dayton, Coy, Slade. Dale (Heather) Cronkhite. Jayna (Grant) Staples: their children Travis (Blaire) Staples, Garrett Staples, and his sister-in-law Barbara (Pat) Cronkhite.

Tom was predeceased by his loving wife, Ruth, of 74 years, his parents, his son Roger Allan Cronkhite, his daughter-in-law Betty Ann Cronkhite, sister and brother-in-law Ruth (John) Horne, his twin brother and sister-in-law Robert (Betty) Cronkhite, his brother and sister-in-law Hal (Bette) Cronkhite and his brother Patrick Cronkhite.

A Memorial Service to honour both Tom and Ruth will be held at the Lethbridge Legion, Tuesday, September 14, from 1-3:30 p.m. Friends and family are welcome to attend following provincial and Legion guidelines. Please use the North Door access to the Legion.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Diabetes Canada, E1300 – 522 University Avenue, Toronto On M5G 2R5.