Lorne Wade Coldwell was born September 10, 1969 in Ashcroft, BC. He was the eldest of three sons for Fred and Jo-Anne. He grew up in Dawson Creek and surrounding area attending Grandview and Devereaux Elementary Schools, then later Frank Ross, and South Peace Secondary.
Keeping an eye on Lorne, Dennis and Doug was no easy feat. Stories abound of tree fort building, bows and arrows, blowing up cars in the back forty and various other “hobbies”. Lorne answered to the nickname Tex in those days and would carry it on to high school where he majored in football and socializing.
Lorne pursued many careers over the years. He was a gas jockey, plumber, car salesman, cable guy, branch manager of Emco Distributors, a heavy equipment operator, owner of Ledco Sales and Service (a power sports sales and service shop) and most recently a professional driver of oilfield tank trucks, buses, shuttles and limousines.
In 1992, Lorne met Elaine Bassett and they married in 1995. He welcomed his first son Derek in 1997 and second son Shawn in 2001. He was intensely proud of his boys and helped raise them to be polite and respectful young men.
Lorne had an affinity for buying and selling things. He could be found at many a garage sale and auction, and had recently started to frequent Kijiji. His favorite saying was “it’s just too good a deal to pass up”.
Lorne was one of the most giving people this world has ever known. He never hesitated to offer help to friends, family or complete strangers. He always had time for a chat. There was never a quick trip to the store for Lorne. Being sent for a jug of milk would often take over an hour as he had to share a few words with about 80% of the people in the store.
In 2003, Lorne was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes which he controlled with a strict diet that saw him lose over 150 lbs in the last 10 years. Unfortunately a side effect of this disease is compromised ability to fight infection. Lorne underwent surgery to remove an inguinal abscess, and developed a massive infection that caused his body to go into septic shock which eventually stopped his heart.
Lorne passed away surrounded by his family on August 29, 2014 at the age of 44 years. He leaves to mourn his wife Elaine, sons Derek and Shawn, mother Jo-Anne (Tony) Verbruggen, brothers
Dennis (Lara) and Doug (Trish), mother-in-law Vivian Bassett, brother-in-law Randy (Correne), many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, countless friends, coworkers and customers.
He was predeceased by his father Fred Coldwell and nephew Bradley Coldwell.
A Celebration of Life Service was held Thursday,
September 4, 2014 at the Alliance Church, Dawson Creek,
British Columbia.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the:
Dawson Creek & District Hospital Foundation – Intensive Care Unit 11130-13th Street, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 3W8