February 7, 1939 – November 22, 2025

George was a well-known cowboy in the South Okanagan. Eldest son of Alice and Louis Thompson and grandson of early Okanagan settlers Valentine Haynes and Lizzie Runnels a member of Colville Confederated Tribes, great grandson of pioneer Judge John Carmichael Haynes. Paternal grandparents, Sheriff George Thompson and Mary of Sprague, Washington.

Although George lacked a formal education, he was very smart and a quick learner being sidekick to his Papa Val Haynes from an early age. He rode the hills of the South Okanagan rounding up cattle and keeping an eye of the well-being of all the cows. George had a knack for keeping the best stock and was able to strengthen the herd getting top prices at Okanagan Falls stockyard auctions. The buyers always liked 69 Ranch beef.

George, as a young man, followed the rodeo circuit with his friends Kenny McLean and Bobby Johnson. He won a few, lost a few, broke some bones and decided the ranching life was a better choice. Like many ranchers, he supplemented his income by starting up Thompson Brothers Sawmill and GT Contracting. Building and maintaining logging roads, leveling vineyard land and contracting his equipment for fire fighting with Ministry of Forests. He was known as a fearless caterpillar operator and he is still spoken of with respect to this day by those who worked alongside him.

George married his high school sweetheart, Joan McCurrach in 1957 and was blessed with three children. Raymond, Marie and Leonard. George took over full operation of the 69 Ranch following the passing of his parents, Alice and Louis. He was the boss right until the end, instructing sons Raymond and Len and grandson Cody on what needed to be done and how it should be done. Sadly, a brain tumour cut short George’s cowboy life and the rest of us will try to fill his boots.

George was predeceased by his wife Joan, brothers Robert and Maurice. He is survived by siblings Anthony (Tony), Alice, Richard, Catherine and Madelon, his children Raymond, Marie and Leonard, grandchildren Travis, Kyle, Kimberly, Cody, Devan and great grandchildren Preston, Davie, Ryan, Victoria, Mackenzie and Raine.

George leaves some great friends behind. Waldy Gaertner, Bobby & Laura Johnson, Jane Stelkia, Irma McLean, Rob Dinwoodie, Ted Shuttleworth, Ace Elkink to name just a few. Long standing Okanagan & Silmilkameen ranching families will miss George too like the Stelkias, Baptistes, Thomas’, Pendergrafts, Quadvliegs, and Casorsos naming only some. George was a member of the BC Livestock Association, Okanagan Similkameen Stock Association and the Southern Interior Stock Association.

We shall all miss the rattling sound of the hay wagon leaving the yard every winter morning to feed the cattle down at Road 22 with his sidekick Waldy. The hum of the tractor every summer, cutting, baling and stacking hay at the Vaseaux Lake ranch. The jingle of his spurs as he saddled up to ride the hills chasing cattle.

Cremation with no service by George’s request. He asked for a cowboy celebration of life get together in the warmer climate of the spring which will be planned. Laughter, stories and a few cold ones was his wish for those family and friends he leaves behind.

To borrow a line or two from Willie Nelson:

The rows and rows of houses come creeping across the land, where the cattle graze and the old grey barn still stands, are there any more real cowboys in this land?

Let’s hope so.

Rest in peace, George.

Yip, yip.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com