July 18, 1934 – May 27, 2017

Les is survived by his wife of 60 years, Amanda (Bubbles Palmer), son Pat(Sherry), two daughters Marcia (Jim) and Andrea, three grandsons Tyler Bodnard, Alex MacDonald and Chris MacDonald, brother Harvey (Wilma) and many nephews, nieces and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Beatrice Bodnard, sister Evelyn (Alois) and brother Stanley (Helen).
Born in Watson, Saskatchewan and raised on the family farm at Englefeld, he worked on the farm until 1955, when he moved to Kamloops to work for the winter, but never returned to his home province. He met Bubbles when he was employed at Frolek Sawmills, and they married in 1956. He was offered an apprenticeship at North Kamloops Motors in 1956, displaying a natural mechanical talent, having gained a lot of experience and knowledge fixing farm equipment on the Englefeld farm. Les worked for Bill McEwen until he purchased Sagebrush Services with Leo Van Tine in 1961. After Leo’s departure two years later, Les became the sole owner for the next 32 years, privately and then leasing the station to Shell Oil for ten years. In 1973 he bought a ranch in Rosebud, Alberta, where he expanded his stable up to 80 horses, and continued with his focus on breeding, training and racing Quarter Horses. Returning to Kamloops and selling the Alberta ranch in 1980, Les continued dedicating his talents on breeding, breaking and training, running Quarter Horses for many years, winning many stakes races throughout B.C., Alberta and the United States. Following the sale of the service station in 1995, he and Bubbles settled on a smaller acreage in Oliver, B.C. In recognition of his achievements and contributions to the industry, Les won many awards from the American Quarter Horse Association, notably the World’s leading QH percentage trainer, and leading Quarter Horse Trainer at numerous race meets throughout the Northwest. Les was inducted into the Northwest Quarter Horse Breeders Society Hall of Fame.
Les also enjoyed doing his leather work, building all his own racing tack, and thousands of halters for Select Horse Sales. Les also did many tack repairs for horsemen he knew. Les never lost his lifelong love of horses and horse racing, and shared this passion with the many people he met throughout his life.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 17th, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in the Schoening Funeral Chapel.
Should friends desire donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of B.C. would be appreciated in his memory.

Condolences may be expressed at www.schoeningfuneralservice.com
 

• Date : 2017-05-27
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.