Obituary of Gary Allen Packham

Gary Packham, resident of Beaverlodge, AB, formerly of Grande Prairie, AB, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 5, 2025, at his home at the age of 63 years.

Gary was born in Medicine Hat, AB, and grew up in Fort Macleod and Yellowknife, NWT, before moving to High Level, AB, to assist with management of the family hardware store. It was here that he married and gave life to his three beautiful daughters. While building a home for his family and taking on new opportunities, life took them to Peace River, AB. Eventually, Gary began a new career with Jardin Foods Ltd, introducing him to a new taste and love of driving a truck. He worked for Jardin for many years, as well as some time with Sanjel Energy, before making some hard life choices.

 

As stories unfold and chapters end, so too, new ones begin. Gary made a commitment to sobriety and moved south to Claresholm, AB. He landed a position with Westcan Bulk Transport, driving a Peterbilt with super B trailers. He was hauling fuel from Sherwood Park to the Fording River Mine north of Elkford, BC.  This was the highlight of his trucking career, combining his love and joy of driving with being in the mountains. He also did some work for Boots Transport and Hornberger Trucking, pulling short-term hauling contracts.

 

Gary’s health took a sudden turn when he was overtreated for an infection, landing him in Foothills Hospital in Acute Kidney Failure. After many weeks there, Gary went to Grande Prairie for his post-hospital care. Once he was well, he decided to stay and make Grande Prairie his home.

 

He began hauling fuel with Northwest Tank Lines, again truly enjoying his time on the highway as a truck driver. Eventually, his diabetes and health issues became too difficult for him to manage on the road, and he ended his job. His life took a downward spiral, and his health began to deteriorate. Through his years, attending AA regularly helped to keep him steady and focused. Unfortunately, his last fall landed him in the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, where he spent 5 weeks before moving into the Hythe Pioneer Home. This became his home; however, at the time, it was difficult for Gary to fully accept, so in the summer of 2023, he found an apartment of his own and made Beaverlodge his new home. Gary made many great friends in his building as well as the community. He built an unbelievable network of support for himself, including people from AA, Home Support, and Home Care.  After enduring a series of differing and painful health events through 2023 and 2024, Gary began to admit that he could no longer properly care for himself. Gary’s health took a turn for the worse in late Spring of this year after having two heart attacks and two Sepsis infections. He spent three months in the Beaverlodge Hospital healing and recovering. He was awaiting amputation, which was to be this winter. His health and care needs were recently reassessed, and Gary was formally accepted by AHS as needing continuing care. He had chosen a facility, toured it, and chose his room at the Spirit River Pleasant View Lodge. He was looking forward to moving in and joining his newly made friends. He had just been given his move-in date; unfortunately, what he needed came too late, as Gary succumbed to his failing health and he passed before that time.

 

Gary hung on to his happiest childhood memories of baseball, hockey, and his many friendships. He spoke fondly of family vacations (friends included) at Shuswap Lake, waterskiing, and cliff diving off Copper Island. He had an interest in classic cars and trucks, camping, the mountains, and being anywhere in nature. He had a love for all animals, especially his dogs and cats, which he had over the years. Puss Puss, Sunrise and Sunset were very special cats for him over the last five years, as they brought him a source of love, companionship, comfort, and healing. He came to enjoy cooking and seemed to have every appliance possible. Gary enjoyed listening to music, watching old CSI and comedy sitcoms, and visiting with friends. He loved a good hot Tim Horton’s double double and a rousing game of Crib.

 

Gary had a great sense of humour, which helped to get himself through many of the harder and painful times. When able to, he enjoyed a good walk downtown or around the neighborhood. Gary bought and placed a bench outside the back entry of his apartment building, where he liked to sit. He enjoyed seeing his friends and neighbours come and go. On his good days, from sunrise to sunset, Gary looked for beauty and joyful moments. He was truly grateful for each new day.

 

Gary will be sadly missed by those who were a part of his whole life, the first few chapters, or the final few. We must all find comfort knowing that Gary is no longer in pain and no longer suffering. He was a friendly, generous, charming, soft-hearted man who helped to bring his own wisdom, insight, and comfort to those he engaged with. One of his nurses, named Garfield, once told Gary that their names derived from the same Greek name meaning Warrior. Gary was truly a steadfast warrior and fighter with resilience, honour, and pride.

 

Recently, Gary reconnected with an old love from many years gone by. He had never stopped loving her. The day they reconnected is the day that he found the peace and love in his heart that he had been looking for.

 

Gary’s love for his daughters, Cassandra, Chelsea, and Jordan, was never-ending, and they were always very important and special to him. His yearning for acceptance, forgiveness, and healing the severed bonds of love for his girls was all he ever hoped for. His heart held precious love for his granddaughter, Macie, and grandson, Cameron.  He also leaves behind his brother Scot and sisters Joanne (Gord) and Jody (Grant), sons-in-law Mike and Tim, and numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Gary was predeceased by his grandparents, Francis and Kathleen Packham, Fred and May Huddlestun, brother Darren Packham, and parents Elba and Irwin Packham.

 

Gary has requested no burial, funeral service, or celebration of life. One may choose to engage in an act of kindness, have a Timmie’s, and salute a good man.