1936 – 2018

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ted (nee George Edwin) Vayro on Thursday April 26, 2018. Ted was well known as a man with a gruff exterior who rarely smiled, but his smile always appeared at the first opportunity to hold a baby or behind the bucking chutes at a rodeo. He was quick-witted with a dry sense of humour and often had those around him in stitches at his wry comments. He was truly one of a kind and will be deeply missed by so many.

Born April 30, 1936, in Taber, Alberta, Ted was a rodeo cowboy who competed in bareback riding and steer wrestling. He went on to form Grasslands Rodeo Company with good friends, Malcolm Jones and C.N. Woodward, and supplied stock to professional, amateur, and high school rodeos for many years. In addition to his 16 years on the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association’s Board of Directors, Ted was the livestock superintendent at the Canadian Finals Rodeo for over 20 years. In 1990, Ted was honoured with the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association’s Cowboy of the Year Award. Ted donated countless hours to B.C. High School Rodeo and is fondly remembered for helping out many young competitors. In 2011, Ted was inducted into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.

In addition to his contributions to the sport of rodeo, Ted had a keen interest in exotic birds from a young age. He raised a number of exotic poultry, pigeons, and water fowl, and showed his award-winning birds at fairs across BC. He was a proud member of the Vernon Pigeon and Poultry Club.

Ted leaves behind his partner of 25 years, Mary MacGregor; his children Sophie Vayro (Denis Hancock), Josie Vayro, and Rod Vayro, and their mother, Celia Haig-Brown; his grandchildren Desa Hancock, Leola Vayro, Cala Hancock, Brooke Vayro, Alexis Vayro, and Levi Vayro. He is survived by his sister Ethel (Del Borggard) Fritz of Calgary, brother Larry (Judy) Vayro of Magrath, brother Gordon (Gwen) Vayro of Taber, and brother Clare (Glenda) Vayro of Salmo, B.C., as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents, John George Albert Vayro and Vaneta Leola Vayro (nee Cannaday).

No service by request. A social gathering for family and friends will be held on Thursday May 17 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Grandview Acres in Knutsford, B.C. Memorial donations may be made to The Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund (justincowboycrisisfund.org) or through The Sullivan Urology Foundation, designated to the Vancouver Prostate Centre (urologyfoundation.ca/donations.html). Condolences may be sent to the family at DrakeCremation.com

• Date : 2018-04-19
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.