Raymond Carlyle Laybourne

It is with great sadness in their hearts that the family of Raymond, more commonly known as “Buck”, Laybourne announce his sudden passing on April 2, 2020 at the age of 90 years old.

Raymond was born to Carrie Laybourne (nee Ueland) and Robert Laybourne on July 22, 1929 in Watson, SK.  He grew up on a farm near Pleasantdale, SK where he helped his dad and attended Ronoke School through grades 1 – 8.  In 1946, the family moved to a farm south of Watson that his dad had purchased near Lampard where Raymond, now 17, continued to help his dad and brother on the farm.  In 1950, after the passing of his dad, Raymond and his brother Gordon continued operating the family farm together until 1960 when they split up to pursue individual farming endeavors. 

In 1952 Buck married Ruth Lissel from Jansen and they started their marriage farming near Lampard.  At that time, they also purchased the Lampard general store and ran the store for one year.  Buck, being an entrepreneur, built a garage and living quarters where he ran a business fixing vehicles and equipment plus sold a variety of other items including auto parts, ammunition and hardware.

In 1960 Buck and Ruth built a new house on their farm, to the delight of Ruth, with 4 kids now, moving out of the shop.  Not busy enough yet, he decided to become an airplane pilot.  Then in 1967 an opportunity arose to purchase the Dafoe Bombing and Gunnery School facility and property including  runways, a hanger, numerous buildings and farmland across the road from their yard.   Purchasing the airport property was a game changer for Buck and the family and for years was the hub of activity including equipment, grain, and of course airplane storage.  Over the years the hanger was a landmark and used for many events including hosting the Ag show Direct Tech and the filming of a movie about World War II times featured Tiger Moth planes.

Buck was a man of many talents, working over the years as a mechanic, carpenter, and welder.  From the years 1954-1957 they packed up the family and spent the winters in Dumas, Texas, where his mother was now living, working as a mechanic.  When Buck obtained his pilot’s license, he also completed an aerial applicator’s license and sprayed for farmers near and far, retiring after 16 years at the age of 60.  Buck loved to “deal” and at times other ventures included a Bellanca aircraft dealer, selling drill fills, grain dryers, Massey combines, and Behlen bins and buildings.  Even with all these ventures, Buck and the boys had time to run the grain farm.  After retiring to Humboldt, he continued to help his son Roger on the family farm, and even in later years helped his grandson Bryce, running a combine and harrows until the age of 88.  Buck loved to “get out of the house” helping any way he could on the farm.  Ruth would pack him a lunch and off he would go to see what adventures awaited him.  When he was unable to help at the harvest in 2019, he commented that that was the first harvest he had missed since he was 15 years old, 74 years.

Raymond was an original shareholder and board member of the Poundmaker feedlot project from its inception in 1969 until 1990.  He sat on the LeRoy School Board and was an RM councillor for the RM of Lakeside for 2 terms. 

Besides his occupations, Buck somehow found time for many other interests and hobbies.  He collected antique tractors and was an avid antique gun collector with a wealth of knowledge.  Well into his later years he was attending gun shows buying and selling even at 90.  His gun collection was very impressive with each one having its own folklore of which he could entertain visitors for hours.  Raymond also enjoyed curling, and as anyone that knew him can attest to most of his entertaining stories coming for his numerous adventures including fishing, hunting, and flying.

Over the years Buck and Ruth were blessed with 4 sons (Pat, Greg, Roger, Roy) and 1 daughter (Kari).

In his later years Raymond’s pride and joy was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He kept busy hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and was often on the road watching hockey, ball, and dance.  He was always ready to offer advice and guidance, or at least a story with only slight embellishment.

Their home in Humboldt has always been a busy checkpoint for friends and family travelling by and those that stopped in were always welcomed, well fed, watered, and entertained.

Raymond is survived by his wife of 68 years Ruth, as well as his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren:  his son Pat (Shirley) and their children Ryan, Jessica (Luke and sons Charlie and Benny), and Miles; his son Greg; his son Roger and his children Dylan (daughters Callie and Athena, step-son) Angelo), Cassandra, and Olivia; his son Roy (Sharon) and their son Michael; his daughter Kari (David Moore) and their children Devin (Kayla and son Raine), Trenton (Ashely), Bryce (Breann and daughter Madison), Nolan and Martina (Eric).

Immediate family predeceasing Raymond was his Dad Robert, Mom Carrie, brother Gordon, sister Delia and an infant son.

Services for Raymond will be held at a later date.

Memorial Donations in his memory may be made to the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan.