Cook Southland Funeral Chapel - Medicine Hat Logo
(403) 527-6455 901 13th Street SW
Medicine Hat, AB
T1A 4V4

Obituary - Gary Tellefson

Gary Tellefson

1959 - 2023

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel - Tellefson(2023)

October 31, 1959 ~ November 17, 2023

Gary Tellefson, age 64 of Redcliff, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 17, 2023, with his brother, Blair by his side. Along with Blair, Gary leaves behind his niece, Dana Tellefson (Memo Bañuelos) and great-niece, Ava Bañuelos as well as his extended family from the Redcliff Hylton. He was predeceased by his mother, Iris Tellefson and father, John Henry ‘Hank’ Tellefson. Gary was born in Edmonton, AB., and grew up in Medicine Hat where he graduated from Crescent Heights High School. In 1977, Gary started his electrical apprenticeship with Elhart’s Electric and received his Red Seal Journeyman Certificate in 1982. Gary was an avid curler and golfer in his earlier years and continued to be a sports enthusiast right up to his last days where he actively helped his brother Blair picking teams and players for the many NFL, CFL and NHL pools that he was in, where they often competed as team members with some luck over the years. One of Gary's favourite pastimes included watching Jeopardy where he competed along with the contestants often nailing entire categories. He liked to tinker with abstract forms of art and play on words that kept his mind active. With Gary’s passing, the world may have lost the last person on the planet that actually bought and read a physical newspaper on a daily basis. His family would like to thank the team of health care workers at the Medicine Hat Hospital for their care and kindness they gave him. A Celebration of Gary’s life will be held at the Redcliff Hylton, 19 - 3 Street N.E., Redcliff on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. Gary will be interred beside his mother at Hillside Cemetery in the Spring of 2024 .



 

  1. Shannon Mills:
    Nov 29, 2023 at 10:28 PM

    Blair, so very sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. It has been a very long time since I last saw Gary, but I really enjoyed talking to him at the Inn. He was a nice man. Condolences.

    Shannon Mills (Sporre)

  2. Glen Giduk:
    Nov 30, 2023 at 08:40 AM

    Dear Blair and Family,
    I was saddened to learn of Gary's passing. I have fond memories of Gary and his time at Crescent Heights High School. Gary was a good football player and he set an example for younger players. He also showed on-going respect for his peers and teachers.

    It was my good fortune to have known Gary, you, and your mother.

    Please accept my sincere sympathies at this difficult time.

  3. Cheryl Pollock:
    Nov 30, 2023 at 10:58 PM

    Dear Blair and family,
    I am extending my heartfelt condolences on the sad loss of your brother. Gary and I shared many fun times together and I have some very fond memories. He was so smart, loving and kind. And he could sure cook and would beat me at rummy a lot and laugh. Gary will always hold a special place in my heart. I'm sending you and your family lots of love and hugs. Gary was special to many who knew him.
    Cheryl 💗

  4. Tracy @ the Hylton:
    Dec 04, 2023 at 10:05 PM

    My condolences to Blaire and all of Gary’s family. If he ever talked about the “Maine” girl - that was me. We shared laughs over that play on word game for many years. I will miss him reminiscing about it. He will be missed

  5. Wendy Freeman Anderson:
    Dec 12, 2023 at 03:00 AM

    Dear Blair and family,
    I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Gary and I went to school together and were both in the same grad class all those years ago. We also lived in the same neighborhood.
    Gary was fun and I have fond memories of him. I was glad to know him.

Send a condolence message

Condolence messages are sent through an approval queue prior to publication. Once approved, your name and condolence message are viewable by the public. Your email address will remain private, and is for notification purposes only. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for more details.




Allowed tags: <b><i><br><p>Add a new condolence: