Obituary of Ronald Leslie Tarr

Ronald Leslie Tarr

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ronald Leslie Tarr on March 17, 2025, in Cranbrook, BC. Ron left us at the age of 92 years with his loving wife Audrey by his side.

Ron was born on August 2, 1932, in a farmhouse southeast of MacGregor, Manitoba, the youngest of four children. He was raised in the MacGregor area, which is where he met Audrey, whom he married in 1962.

Ron began his career as a power lineman in 1952 in Manitoba, eventually moving his young family west, briefly to Calgary and then to BC. He began his 22-year career with BC Hydro in 1966. Ron and his family moved around BC before settling in Cranbrook in the summer of 1976. Wherever he went, Ron was able to make lifelong friendships along the way.

Ron enjoyed curling, playing golf, winemaking, and bargaining for the best deals at local garage sales. He enjoyed coaching, umpiring, watching, and even just talking baseball. Ron was a Freemason and member of the Masonic Lodge for 62 years. He served five terms on Cranbrook City Council. His dedication to the community includes president of the Cranbrook 1986 BC Summer Games, chairman of the Cranbrook 1993 BC Senior Games, manager of the Cranbrook Colts, president of the Cranbrook Curling Club, Umpire in Chief of Cranbrook Minor Ball. Ron also served several terms on the boards of the RDEK, the Union of BC Municipalities, and the Association of Kootenay and Boundary Municipalities.

Ron is also the recipient of the British Empire Medal (civil) in 1963 for saving the life of a fellow lineman, at great risk to his own safety.

Ron was a loyal friend and family man. We will miss his stories, his smile, and his sense of humour. The family would like to thank the staff on the 3rd floor of the East Kootenay Regional Hospital and the staff at the FW Green Memorial Home who were so good to him over the past several months.

Ron is survived by his loving wife Audrey of 62 years, daughter Sherri (Todd Howery) Tarr, son Garvin (Teresa) Tarr, son Gregory (Cheryl) Tarr, and grandchildren Zack, Dixon, Lauren, Haylee, and Trajan. He is also survived by his sister Marion Frank, sisters-in-law Dianne Watson and Doreen Coubrough, as well as many cherished nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Fredrick and Olive, brother Clare (Lola), brother Russ (Lillian), brother-in-law Alex Frank, father/mother-in-law Malcolm and Jean Coubrough, brother-in-law Walter Coubrough, brother-in-law Don (Marge) Coubrough, sister-in-law Marg (Bud) Kitson, brother-in-law John Watson, niece Dorinda Bond and nephew Kurt Watson.

A Funeral Service will be held at the Colombo Lodge (2530 8 Ave S, Cranbrook, BC V1C 7E7), Saturday April 5, 2025 at 11 am with a Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the FW Green Home through the East Kootenay Foundation for Health (https://www.ekfh.ca/) or to the Fisher Peak Masonic Lodge (contact [email protected])

mcphersonfh.com