Aug. 23, 1975 – Nov. 7, 2010
Innocent victim of a senseless act of violence, Karver was taken from us at his home in Ryder Lake on November 7, 2010 at the age of 35.
He was born in Chilliwack on August 23, 1975 and started his life as a happy, hungry baby boy. He was only 16 months younger than his brother Jade, and took great pleasure in teasing and tormenting him every chance he got. He enjoyed the first five years of his childhood living right next door to his Grandma and ‘Grump’ McCormick on the family hobby farm on Prairie Central Road. There were many idyllic hours spent outside playing with Jade and their cousin Dustin, out back helping Grump, or in the yard with Grandma. His Aunt Tricia and cousins Shanelle and Susan sometimes had the pleasure of babysitting, and could probably tell stories that would curl your hair.
When Karver was six, his grandparents traded places with Doug and Linda, his uncle and aunt, and they brought their two daughters, Susan and Wendy, to live next door. Since he and Wendy were the same age they ended up not only playing together at home but also attending school together at Miller, East Chilliwack and Rosedale. They basically went right through school with the same bunch of kids, and all would agree that he was very outgoing and mischievous throughout his young life.
From the age of fourteen he struggled with epilepsy and the stigma he felt was attached to it.
He quit school and went milking cows for a few years and really enjoyed working on the Sache Farm which was right next door, and he always had the greatest respect for Jim. He continued to hang out with buddies Don Mercer, Sean Wells, Travis Heppner and Josh Hildebrandt.
In his early twenties Karver ventured to Ashcroft and worked on a ranch, then went to Alberta and Kitimat to try his hand at logging. His mother didn’t approve of him cutting down trees, and was relieved when he finally listened to her for once and came back home to stay.
In his early twenties he met Jim Tedford along with his daughter Ceara. Jim was living on property at Ryder Lake and the two of them became best friends, spending countless hours clearing portions of the land, milling the logs and building. At night they enjoyed playing card games with Ceara when she was around, even though he said she always won by cheating.
More recently he worked for Bernie Archibald on the grounds crew at CFB Chilliwack and took great pride in helping ‘Archie’ and the crew make the place look good.
Karver drove and tinkered with many different vehicles and seemed to have a special liking for ones that no one else wanted...for good reason. Lots of them left attached to tow trucks. He had interests in gardening and nature, and became more involved with the land than he was with the people living on it. He had moved up to Ryder Lake and appreciated his Dad coming up to help him with the firewood supply. He made regular trips down to his Mom’s to get potable water and maintained close relationships with his brother Jade and his friend Jim T. He was always keen on knowing what other people he had known were up to and was fond of reminiscing about the adventures he’d had with everyone along the way.
It always seemed that everyone liked Karver, but it seems we now know otherwise. For someone out there decided that he had lived long enough, and cut his life short. Those of us left here behind are reeling in shock that someone so harmless could come to such a brutal end.
Karver will be loved and missed forever by his parents Jim Morford and Judy McCormick, his brother Jade (Tracy), many relatives on both sides, his best friend Jim Tedford and Jim’s daughter Ceara, and untold numbers of others whose lives he touched. He was predeceased by grandparents Ernie and Rosa Morford and Mac and Mary McCormick.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010 from 2-4 pm at the Chilliwack Lions Club Community Hall (Fairfield Island Hall), 47130 Hope River Rd., Chilliwack.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the BC Epilepsy Society (bcepilepsy.com) or a charity of your choice.
We ask that anyone with any information regarding the incomprehensible crime that took Karver from us to please let your conscience be your guide and contact the local RCMP.