Upon completion of high school in Stonewall I began a career in the grain business with Manitoba Pool Elevators. From 1959 until 1965 I worked as an Elevator Manager at several locations throughout Manitoba. I met the lady of my life, Carol, in the village of Nesbitt, she became my wife in 1962. She began her teaching career there, after graduating from Teachers College. In the fall of 1965, Carol and I decided I should return to school, and in September of that year I started the degree program in the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Manitoba. In 1969 I graduated with a B.S.A. (Hons) degree, majoring in Economics. The following year (1970) I graduated with a Masters Degree, completing the Economics course work and a thesis on grain transportation.
Our first child, Darren, was born in 1964 and our second child, Candace, was born on my very first day of university in September of 1965. Between each school year I found summer employment in the grain business. One year (1968) for a change, I worked for the CBC as a farm commentator with the well known Lionel Moore who was no relation, but a great fellow to work with. The year prior, we had moved from Winnipeg to the country, on a farm three miles out of Stonewall where we lived for most of my career, raising cattle and horses as a hobby.
Upon graduation in 1970, jobs were plentiful and as I recall seven opportunities were presented to me. One was to complete a PHD, but as finances were getting a little tight, it was decided I should go to work! My first position was with the Manitoba Agricultural Credit Corporation as Director of Research and Secretary of the Board of Directors. This was an interesting position and the people I worked with were great, but once grain dust gets in your veins, it becomes an industry hard to resist.
In the fall of 1971 an opportunity came to work for United Grain Growers in Development and Planning. I jumped at the chance and spent 20 great years with the company. In 1974 our third child, Melanie, was born. The following year I was transferred from the Planning Department into Business Operations and spent three years in Saskatoon, as the Assistant Area Manager for Northern Saskatchewan. In 1978 I was transferred back to Winnipeg as Assistant Manager of the Country Operations Division, which included responsibilities for the entire prairie and B.C. operations. In 1982 I became Assistant General Manager of the company, and in the fall of 1983 was appointed General Manager.
During my employment with United Grain Growers I was elected to the Board of Governors of the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange, and was Chairman of the Board for 1987/88. I was appointed to the National Biotechnology Advisory Council for 6 years for the Federal Government during the ministry of Harvey Andre, chairing work for the Agricultural Sector.
For recreation, I coached minor hockey in Saskatoon for two years. I was active in the Stonewall Kinsmen Club and coached minor league baseball in Stonewall for 7 years. We also went salmon fishing at Campbell River B.C. nine years in a row, and made sure we got in a good walleye fishing trip at least twice a year. We also found time to curl in the odd bonspiel. During most of these years I played in a band with another SCI graduate Cal Croy. We called the band, “The Country Rovers” and played for dances, weddings, anniversaries, socials and in bars during my university days. My son Darren got his start in the music business by playing with us at various functions. I find music to be a most relaxing experience, whether one plays an instrument or just listens. In addition, it is much cheaper than a psychiatrist!
In January of 1991 I set up a consulting business. For the next seven years I participated in numerous projects, which included work for the Government of Manitoba, Interlake Dehy, and the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange. During my employ with United Grain Growers, subsequent to that, and on vacations, Carol and I, as well as our children, have travelled extensively in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Central American and to such far away places as Saudi Arabia.
In 1997 we sold our farm, and rented an apartment in Winnipeg until I finished a project for the Government of Manitoba. In April of 1998 we moved to Calgary to be with our family who had all moved to Alberta. We worked with our son in telecommunications and started a company in the “Oil Patch”, we sold our shares two years later. In 2002 our two daughters and their children moved to Jasper, working in the hotel industry and buying a business. Carol and I assisted in the operations of the hotels and were able to spend time with them and our grandchildren. Then our youngest daughter with her husband’s support took positions as General Manager opening two news resorts in Banff and Nicaragua so Carol and I tagged along to both beautiful locations.
We are now living again in Jasper. We have assisted our oldest daughter to some extent as she is the Assistant General Manager of Decore Hotels’ three properties in Jasper. This year we will be looking for a spot to retire more permanently. Carol and I love to travel so we intend to do a lot of it. We are both enjoying good health and I must say life has been very good to us. Our goal is to continue getting older but never get old!
Our days in Stonewall are remembered with great fondness. Our children attended the schools there, our oldest granddaughter started school there, and Carol was a substitute teacher there. Remembering my days in school, fill me with considerable positive emotions. Our school class was like a family, and I recall Miss Gillis telling us she had never seen a class with such a close knit relationship as ours. She may have said that to all her classes in Stonewall, because that is how my town was then – close knit!
Each of our children has one child, they age from 4 to 16 years. They are a great part of our lives. We sincerely enjoy sharing their joys and challenges. Really, being with family and friends is where the best life is found! So when my school principal of 50 years ago recalls a pleasant period of his life was spent in my town, in my school, with my friends, and me, it’s “a real warm fuzzy.” Thank you, Allan Johnson you are indeed remembered fondly by us. It would be great to get together and reminisce, or as we say, all in good humour; sit a while, exaggerate, and tell lies. It doesn’t get any better than that!
