Harold Carson Matlock, resident of DeBolt, AB, passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at the Ridgevalley Care Home, at the age of 93 years.

Harold was born in Vulcan, AB, on January 1, 1927. At the age of 3, he travelled with his family to a homestead near DeBolt, AB. Harold grew up in a log house in the bush beside a muskeg lake. He learned to trap at a young age. He worked with cattle and horses and hunted to feed his family.

Harold married Mary Lou Gunby in 1952. They told the minister that they wanted to raise kids and cattle. They had three children: Clay, Lacey, and Connie. They raised black angus cattle for 66 years. For 32 of those years, they drove the cattle to summer pasture 40 miles south to the Simonette River. They called the ranch the Cranberry Lake Ranch, as it was situated beside a 30-acre lake with three types of cranberries growing along the edge.

Harold loved to trap his trapline that was adjacent to the ranch. He also coached hockey, guided American hunters, and taught trapping courses throughout the province for Fish and Wildlife. He was an active community member and served on many boards. Harold and Mary Lou loved to watch rodeos, especially the Cranberry Lake Rodeo, Teepee Creek Rodeo, and Rio Grande Rodeo. Harold loved to visit and share his stories of the past. He wrote and published his memoirs so that his stories will live on for friends, neighbours, and his family for many generations to come.

He will be sadly missed by his children: Clay (Wendy) Matlock, Lacey (Bill) Jacobson, and Connie Matlock (Emile Desnoyers); grandchildren: Cary (Roxanne) Jacobson, Chris Jacobson, Julia Desnoyers, and Joel Desnoyers; great-grandchildren: Waylon Jacobson, and Gemma Jacobson; and sister in-law Dawn Oatway.

Harold was predeceased by his wife of 67 years Mary Lou, father Albert Matlock, mother Laura Belle, brothers Dean Matlock and Donald Matlock, and sisters Eula Miller and Barbara Turner.

The memorial service will be a private affair due to Covid19 with only Harold’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren attending.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Cranberry Lake Rodeo Association (Box 500, DeBolt, AB, T0H 1B0) or the DeBolt and District Pioneer Museum Society (Box 298, DeBolt, AB, T0H 1B0), or to a charity of one’s choice.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.oliversfuneralhome.com

• Date : 2020-05-20
• Location : DeBolt, Alberta

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