DOUGLAS SMEATON

DOUGLAS SMEATON 1939 – 2026
Douglas Walter Smeaton was born on March 19, 1939 in Kamloops, BC. He passed away peacefully at the Good Samaritan Southridge Village on October 14, 2026 at the age of 87 years old. He grew up in Kamloops and attended school there other than a brief stint at Notre Dame College in Wilcox, Saskatchewan and a year at St. Anthony’s Board School in Edmonton. He spent his summers swimming in the Thompson River and visiting his aunt’s ranch in Bear Creek, straight up the mountain from the Shuswap Lake.
Dad was a little bit of a rebel rouser in his youth but thankfully a judge and a nun saw something in him to help turn his life around. In 1960, at age 21, he married the love of his life Deanna who was only 17 at the time and so needed her father’s permission for the marriage to occur. Together they spent 66 years joined at the hip. In 1962 they welcomed their only child Chris and over the next 15 years, moved from Kamloops to Montreal to Edmonton to Grande Prairie and finally back to Edmonton. While most would believe he was in the military because of the moves, it was simply that he had a nomadic spirit.
In 1977, after scouting for the Medicine Hat Tigers for five years, the family moved to Medicine Hat where dad became the team manager. During his time with the Tigers, he ensured that all school aged players attended school and forged partnerships with all three high schools in Medicine Hat to support his players ongoing education. He also partnered with the local YMCA so that players who had graduated, spent time in the gym and not watching daytime soap operas, a thing at the time. After a two year stint with the Tigers, he went on to work for CHAT radio, CJCY and other advertising positions. He also served as the manager of the Medicine Hat Cubs for a number of years.
Sports were always a big part of his life. He played 1st division fastball in Edmonton and coached a number of his son’s teams. He believed in hard work, accountability, and treating people with respect. Above all, Doug was a man of his word. Honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity were not simply qualities he admired; they were principles by which he lived. One of his former players, who went on to become an NHL All-Star, often described Doug as the most honest person in hockey. It was a sentiment echoed by countless others, including the many clients and colleagues who came to know and respect him throughout his life.
While sports and work were important, nothing mattered more to Doug than his family. Nearly every summer and most Christmas holidays, Doug, Deanna, and Chris made the journey back to Kamloops to spend time with extended family. Those road trips were filled with conversation, laughter, and plenty of music. Doug loved to sing and could harmonize with the best of them.
Doug took tremendous pride in watching his family grow. He warmly welcomed Donna into the family when she married Chris and was overjoyed with the arrival of his grandchildren, Jordan and Jamieson. He loved nothing more than watching them participate in their various sports, often arriving with his signature cinnamon candies or peppermints to share with the grandchildren, their teammates, and anyone else fortunate enough to be sitting nearby.
The arrival of his great-grandchildren, Carter and Emerson, brought him even more joy. He was incredibly proud of them both. Even as his memory began to fade over the past couple of years, he continued to delight in watching videos and looking at pictures of them. Those moments brought a smile to his face and served as a beautiful reminder that, even when memories fade, the bonds of love remain.
Doug was a devoted husband, a proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and a man whose character left a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to know him. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Deanna; his son, Chris (Donna); his grandson, Jordan; his granddaughter, Jamieson (Darren) and their children, Carter and Emerson.
The family wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at Good Samaritan Southridge Village and Meadow Ridge for the exceptional care, kindness, and dignity they provided Doug throughout the final two years of his life.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Doug’s life at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel, with Father Fernando Genogaling, Celebrant. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honour Doug’s memory are encouraged to make a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Condolences can be sent to condolences@saamis.com with the subject heading Douglas Smeaton . Funeral arrangements are entrusted to
SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL
CHAPEL CREMATORIUM &
RECEPTION CENTRE,
“The Chapel in the Park
#1 Dunmore Road SE,
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Z5
(403)528-2599
www.saamis.com
inquiry@saamis.com
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CGR Holdings Ltd.