July 9, 1930 —July 23, 2025
John Stuart Sandeman, known as “Jack,” was born July 9, 1930, on the Rutledge Ranch north of Cowley and passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at the Pincher Creek Municipal Hospital at the age of 95 years.
Jack is survived by three children, Ian Sandeman, Cathy (Eric) Laitinen and Sheila (also known as Briar) (Scott) Sandeman. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Makyla (Devon) Laitinen, Kei-Ann (Cody) Primeau, Kori (James) Nobles, Jack and Story Murphy; as well as two great grandchildren, Landon Primeau and Jacee Nobles.
Jack is survived by nieces and nephew Laurie Sandeman, Beth Sandeman and Barry Sandeman; as well as cousins Bill Elton, John Elton, Ann Chee and a few cousins in England.
Jack was predeceased by his wife of 46 years Marge in 2005 and a grandson Logan Sandeman; as well as his mom and dad and brother Eric and numerous aunts and uncles.
When Dad was two years old, they moved from down where he was born to Todd Creek Ranch where he remained until his passing. He attended Todd Creek School roughly two miles south of the ranch until Grade 9 then went to Matthew Halton high school in Pincher Creek for two years. For those two years in town, he lived one year with Mrs. Hewitt and one year in the dorm.
In 1947, Jack attended SAIT in Calgary for one year and then went to Olds College from 1948-’51 where he obtained his agriculture degree which he put it to good use farming and ranching all his life.
In 1951, in July, Jack performed in the Calgary Stampede Parade with the Cowley Band. He played the clarinet and loved to tell the stories of where the band performed but his favourite story was how he was so happy he went to experience the Stampede Parade.
In the fall of 1957, he thought he would try his hand at driving the school bus out in our area. Well, he did it for one school year as he said that was enough because some of the kids who rode the bus were such little buggers.
The summer of 1957, Jack started courting a dark-haired beauty from Ashvale district who also happened to be a teacher named Miss Hammond. They would marry two years later on July 4, 1959.
Jack said he really had to chase her and even bought his very first car to make a good impression on her and of course my Grandpa Tommy plus it made it easier to win her over. Dad was always thinking ahead, and it continued all his life after thinking hard on how to snag my mom.
Dad was a very active member of the Cowley Lions Club for eight years and loved doing the Castle River Rodeo every summer getting to visit with all the neighbours as they came through the gate to watch the rodeo.
Dad was also just about all his life a devoted Mason which consisted of over 60 years as a member. One Monday a month he would venture into Cowley in the evening for the lodge meeting, something he enjoyed very much.
Dad farmed and ranched all his life and in the early days it was tough until he had motorized tractors but as a young boy, he remembers everything done by hand and horses.
He loved his cows, and they loved him. Especially the pet ones that knew the sound of his voice and always came running for their bucket of grain.
Dad enjoyed nature in every way, shape and form. He loved watching all the different birds that would come back in the spring and eat the bird seed in the feeders outside his kitchen window. He looked forward to waiting for them to come home so he could write it down in his diary.
Jack enjoyed his walks along the river in early years and the creek later and of course he always had a hammer in his hand and staples and wire in his pocket because you just never knew if there would be a wire off a fence post.
Later, in the last five years or so he loved his journeys up North Burmis Road and up through Maycroft and down to Waterton. He enjoyed going to the little Cowley Glider Strip every summer and fall and watching the gliders take off and land, but we could never talk him into going for a ride and really getting a bird’s eye view of the countryside he loved so much.
Dad was the kindest, most gentle, loving and caring man who never had a mean thing to say about anyone. Everyone was always welcome to the farm for a coffee, cookies and even a meal. You never left hungry after visiting.
Dad will be greatly missed by so many people, but his family will forever miss that beautiful happy smiling man we love with all our hearts and so proudly call “Dad, Grandpa and Gigi.”
A celebration of life will be held at Sandeman Ranch, north of Cowley. on Thursday, July 3 from 2-6 p.m. Straw seating will be provided, and attendees are welcome to bring a lawn chair if they prefer.
Donations may be made to Heritage Acres in lieu of flowers.