Reverend Curly, having received a Divine invitation, left Sunday, in the company of angels, January 6, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. to dine at the banqueting table with the Prince of Peace.
Reverend Samuel Allen “Curly” Voth-Doan was born April 5, 1926 in Regina, SK to Samuel and Vera Doan.
He graduated from high school in North Battleford in 1943.
In the fall of 1943, Curly joined the Army and took Infantry Training at Maple Creek, SK.
In 1944 he trained as a paratrooper at Shilo, Manitoba. Just after receiving his Wings (1st Canadian Parachute Battalion) the War ended and he served in Winnipeg until discharged.
In 1963 he served as Lay Supply in Turtle River Larger Parish, SK. He preached at Marvin, Edmonton, Turtleford, Meota and Glaslyn. He also served at Asquith and Arlee.
Curly was ordained in 1969 at St. Andrews, assigned to serve in Viscount, Colonsay and Plunkett. In 1971 he served in Biggar, SK.
He started the Ecumenical Sunday School with the Luthern, Anglican, United and Presbyterian Churches. In 1978 Curly was called to Otwell United Church in Edmonton, for, (as Curly put it) “13 great years”.
He retired from the Ministry in 1991. Shortly after he served half-time to Central United for three years – “a great group!” He also served part-time for Kirk United and at the Colbrook United Church in Surrey, BC. Finally, he really retired!
Over the years, Curly served in numerous positions, among them, the executive of Saskatchewa and Alberta Conference Prairie Regional Broadcasting Council of the United Church and the Board of Edmonton Bissell Centre. He chaired the committee that established the George Spady Centre, and he was Chaplain of Scouts as well as a AA 5th Step Councillor. More recently he served on the Stikine Health Authority, and was Vice President of the Western Division of the 1st Canadian Paratroopers Battalion Association and Padre for the same association in the Fraser Valley.
Curly was predeceased by his parents, Sam and Vera Doan, his former wife Jean, his brother Edwin, his sister Dorothy and brother-in-law Don Farquaharson, and infant grandson Theodore (Teddy) Doan.
He leaves to mourn his beloved wife Jo Voth-Doan, his children Ken (Monika) Doan, Wayne (Debbie) Doan, Diane (Allan) Baillie, Laurel (Jim) Besse, Glenn (Erin) Doan, 10 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He will be sadly by stepchildren Monte Voth, Julie (Hubert) Giese, Lori (Don) Ruggles, Terry Voth, Rick Voth, Corey (Lynette) Voth and 10 step-grandchildren.
Donations to the United Church Mission and Service Fund (which supports Habitat for Humanity and other organizations) would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.
A memorial, celebrating Curly’s life, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on January 19th, 2008 at the Chilliwack United Church at 45835 Spadina Ave.