Clarence Arthur Bohmer

   It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Clarence Arthur Bohmer on September 20, 2023 at the Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, AB.  He was 66 years of age.

   Clarence was born on April 6, 1957 in Blairmore, AB to parents, Earl and Lucy Bohmer.  He was raised with an appreciation for family, hard work and horsemanship.  On his sixteenth birthday, he left school to gain employment with the Coleman Collieries underground mine.  Understanding the importance of education, he obtained his GED at East Kootenay Community College in 1977 and later enrolled with Vancouver’s BC Institute of Technology in their Ironworkers program.  Clarence quickly gained employment installing structural steel and rebar mostly across BC and Alberta for the next seven years but in 1988, he rejoined the coal mining industry at Byron Creek Collieries.  It was on September 28, 1985 that he married his heart’s desire, Joan Hurtak, whom he befriended in grade school and courted for almost ten years.

   In the early 1990s, when the cycle of layoffs began, Clarence began working with his brother’s company, AJC, fabricating bridges and buildings.  He also worked for SIIL Maintenance Inc. and Dynamic Industries doing mine maintenance and shut downs, then for Gilmar Cranes erecting buildings.  After several more years of hard work, Clarence officially retired in 2022, and unofficially kept working to help out friends with ranching, farming and cutting firewood, which he greatly enjoyed (maybe not so much farming).  His greatest passion, however, was for his beloved wife, Joni, his cherished boys, Chance and Jace, and his precious grandson, Hayden.  Clarence treasured his family.  His strong work ethic was dedicated to providing for their happiness and he spent countless hours supporting his boys’ athletic hobbies and mentoring them to be the fine young men he took so much pride in.

   Clarence was also passionate about horse riding and extremely gifted at team roping - his enthusiasm roped Joni and Chance into the sport as well.  He made many friendships in the arena and won many awards.  Clarence even tried skijoring once with his son, Jace.  Over the years, he also enjoyed hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling and kayaking.  He was a valuable member of the KRA, Hillcrest Miners’ Club and the Southern Century Team Roping Association. 

   Clarence was a devoted husband, a beloved father and grandfather, a hard worker and an amazing man with a great capacity for love and compassion.  He was generous with his hugs whenever one was needed, and he kept everyone laughing wherever he went with his famous dry sense of humour.  Clarence will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.

   Left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life is his wife, Joan; his sons, Chance and Jace; his grandchild, Hayden; his siblings, Eva Graf, Gene Bohmer, Clyde (Cherie) Bohmer, Wendy (Stan) Francis, Cindy (Randal) MacDonald and Bonnie (Greg) Siemens; many nieces and nephews; as well as his extended family and countless friends.

   He was predeceased by his parents, Lucy and Earl Bohmer; his brothers, Frank, Melvin, Elwood and Albert; and his sisters, Dolly and Louise.

   A Celebration of Life will be held at the Hillcrest Miners’ Club (22733 - 7 Ave., Hillcrest, AB) on Friday, October 6, 2023 at 2:00pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be gratefully accepted by the Kananaskis Rodeo Association (PO Box 402 Coleman, AB T0K 0M0), Southern Century Team Roping Association (PO Box 2712 Cardston, AB T0K 0K0), or the Heart and Stroke Foundation (www.heartandstroke.ca).  Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca.

Fantin’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements. (403) 562-8555

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clarence Arthur Bohmer, please visit our floral store.