MORISON, James STUART
James STUART Morison, born 12-04-1942 in Calgary, AB, died suddenly from natural causes on September 28th, 2018 at his ranch in Stoughton, Saskatchewan. He was 75. Stuart was predeceased by his parents Glen and Margaret Morison and younger sister Carol Whittaker, all of Airdrie, Alberta.
As a young man Stuart developed his outgoing nature and gift for rapid fire speech at Olds College where he studied auctioneering. Shortly after college he joined the family farm and gradually worked over the years to expand that business into Morison Ranching Inc. with operations in Airdrie, Alberta and Stoughton, Saskatchewan. Under the umbrella of Morison Ranching, Stuart managed a broad variety of business interests including raising and breeding range cattle, grain and feed production, a horse boarding and riding arena, and a custom feedlot operation. In 2005 Stuart purchased his dream property at a land auction in Saskatchewan. It was at Gapview Ranch where he focused the final years of his work life, admiring the character of the land, savoring the friendship he found in the surrounding community, and creating a legacy tied to a place that he loved.
Stuart’s lifelong interests were centered in and around Western Canadian culture with his keen interest in cattle, rodeo and penning competitions. Stuart was a founding member of the Airdrie Pro Rodeo and worked with them for years to build the event into the success it is today. A natural horseman and spirited competitor he took up team cattle penning in the 90’s, consistently placing and winning at events through the years. He loved the sport and hosted many penning events in Airdrie and Gapview where he continued to ride until his passing.
Stuart was also an avid, life-long hockey player and fan. Tall, physical and fast he was a fierce skater and checker, starting young and playing well into middle age with the Old-Timers in Airdrie. As a hockey fan in a recliner or at the rink, few could match Stu’s enthusiasm and vivid commentary on the hustle and bustle of the game. In recent years he particularly enjoyed watching his honorary grandsons playing in the Tim Bits and Novice leagues. He would recount their youthful antics and skill in detail.
Stuart is lovingly remembered by his dear sister Christie Morison; his friend and partner Debra Fox, her sons Justin St. Louis and Josh (Annadelle) St. Louis, and honorary grandsons Jordin and Cohen; daughter Kim (Bill) Rose, son Dean Morison and grandson Dustin Morison, daughter Anne Chehade (Manuel Macias) and grand-daughters Sabrina and Tavia Chehade; his brother-in-law Earle Whittaker, Niece Tara Whittaker, nephew Colin (Terri) Whittaker and children (Megan, Matthew, Jake and Jared); his friend and Ranch Foreman Takashi “Jake” (Yoshimi) Itogawa and honorary grand-daughters Lynka and Milay.
Celebration of Life services will be held for Stuart on:
Saturday, October 13th, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., at Gapview Ranch Arena, Stoughton, SK
https://goo.gl/maps/p3UKcR5PnZ12
Saturday, November 10th, 10:00 – 2:00 p.m., Crossfield and District Community Center, 900 Mountain Ave, Crossfield, AB T0M 0S0
Donations of remembrance can be made in Stuart’s name to Shelter Canada, https://www.sheltercanada.ca/ which provides new housing to families in need in El Salvador. Stuart contributed to support the efforts of Shelter Canada and would appreciate the irony of this remembrance. He was often teased about the old bunkhouse that he occupied at Gapview, and the long, long process of planning his new “retirement” home at the ranch.
