Bellows, Lee
Lee Bellows
Our family and the rodeo community sadly lost a legend with the passing of Lee Bellows on Thursday, March 23rd, 2023. He was predeceased by his parents, Ralph Bellows and Gladys (Blenkiron) Bellows of Moose Jaw, SK. After an extended illness, Lee slipped away at home, surrounded by loved ones. Lee is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Teresa; children: Casey (Laurelle), Kristin (Dan) and Alvin (Nok); grandchildren: Bryce (Lindsay), Brayden, Jacob (Sarah), Emily, Nikola, and Bohden; sister, Joan; father-in-law, Bill (Norma); as well as extended family members: Marlie (Scott), Raymond and his daughter, Miranda (Ben). Though he is perhaps best known as a beloved rodeo clown and cowboy poet, first and foremost, Lee was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Before he met the love of his life, Teresa, he was a proud single parent at a time when single dads were few and far between. He spent his weekdays working as a livestock inspector for the Department of Agriculture, while cooking crockpot suppers, sewing badges on brownie uniforms, and driving back and forth between baseball and hockey practices.
On the weekends, Lee, a self declared “rodeo addict”, spent his time rodeoing every chance he got and his accomplishments and contributions to the rodeo community were immeasurable. This pursuit took him across Canada, performing from Vancouver Island to Ontario and pretty much everywhere in between, including the Calgary Stampede. Lee always noted that he performed there twice, which was a particular source of pride since being brought back a second time was evidence that it wasn’t just a “fluke”. Rodeo even took him as far as Melbourne, Australia for a once in a lifetime performance on the other side of the world. When he wasn’t in the arena, he was promoting rodeo one way or another. He was an accomplished cowboy poet and he made TV appearances on Sesame Street, Makin’ 8, One in a Million, Mobile MD, and his cheeky poem on gun control was read in the House of Commons.
Lee never hesitated to lend a helping hand where one was needed. He was tireless in his dedication to his work on various committees, including the Moose Jaw Exhibition Board, volunteerism with the Burrowing Owls’ Habitat, Ducks Unlimited, and more recently his work as a founding member of the Moose Jaw Rodeo School. He was a gold card member with the MRCA and CCA and was recently awarded an honorary lifetime membership with the SAASE in recognition of his tremendous contributions and many years of service in Saskatchewan.
Lee made friends everywhere he went and his trademark rodeo van, (which was later replaced by a much more comfortable RV), was a welcoming signpost everywhere he and Teresa went. And when they weren’t travelling, their door was always open and ready to take in travelling cowboys (or rodeo queens) when they were passing through town and needed a place to lay their heads.
Following his retirement from the barrel in 2017, Lee still loved to travel to rodeos and connect with his rodeo family as much as possible. He and Teresa were able to spend more time with their Boston Terriers and visiting with friends both at home and those they made while wintering in Arizona.
Lee loved to connect with his friends every way he could, and his days were brightened immensely with all the messages, stories, phone calls and visits he received over the past months. Special thanks as well to the Palliative Home Care support team – Pat, Catherine, and the many others who helped us care for him at home throughout his journey. A Celebration of Lee’s Life will be held on Thursday, April 6th, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. in the Convention Center at the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lee’s name may be made to the FHHR Home Care Palliative Program c/o Crescent View Clinic, 131 – 1st Ave NE, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 0Y9. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Michelle Ellis, Funeral Director 306-693-4550
Our condolences to the Bellows family on Lee’s passing .Lee was always entertaining and a man worth knowing .
Most sincere condolences to all Lees Family. From Woody & Vern
Our condolences to Teresa & Family
Always treasure the Great memories
Lee spent many hours at
JGL Livestock doing his “second”job – Always with a smile on his face & a new story to tell.
He will be missed by so many.
May he Rest in Peace.
Sincerely
Robin & Wendy Gilroy
So very sorry for your loss Teresa. May your memories give you comfort through this sad time
Our condolences to Teresa & Family
Always treasure the Great memories
Lee spent many hours at
JGL Livestock doing his “second”job – Always with a smile on his face & a new story to tell.
He will be missed by so many.
May he Rest in Peace.
Sincerely
Robin & Wendy Gilroy
Two things I always remember when I think of Lee are his marshmallow sling-shot, and the time when I was just a little kid walking around at Manitoba Finals Rodeo he snatched my cowboy hat off my head, said “did you think I was Garth Brooks or something?” and signed my hat – which I still have to this day! Sincerest condolences to Lee’s family.
Sorry to hear such sad news. I’ve known him all his life but mostly as a mischievous little cousin before he became a loveable rodeo clown and a cowboy poet.the rodeo lost a good one .condolences to his wife and children and to his sister, Joan and her children
So sorry for your loss
Sending sincere heartfelt condolences to all the family. So many fond memories of Lee over the years . Rest in Peace Sir .
To lees family our condolances. When lee and i were 10 years old we used to wrestle calves together at the winn brothers brandings. It was an honor for me to have him as a friend
To Teresa and all of the Bellows family, so sad to hear Lee had passed away he was always a caracter whether he was in the arena or out! He always had a wink or a thumbs up when he saw you! Take care.
Corey, and Karen Mantell and family
On behalf of myself and many of us brand inspectors around the province, I would like to pass on our condolences to Lee’s family. Lee was a unique individual who never waivered in his position regarding values around life, the livestock business and inspection in particular. All of us who have known Lee have benefitted from him and his observations.
My condolences, treasure your memories.
I had the pleasure of working with Lee whenever he was down at JGL . I can’t remember ever seeing Lee in a bad mood, he was alway ready with a smile or a funny story. I haven’t run into him in years but I am saddened to know I won’t get the chance. My condolences to surviving family and friends, Lee was a good hand.
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Dave & Frances Luther Craik Sask.
Heartfelt condolences to you & your family Teresa! Saddened by the news! Lee is mourned by many! May you find comfort in your memories of such a well loved man!
Sorry to hear news of Lee’s passing. Our condolences to Teresa and family.
Dear Teresa and family,
I was deeply saddened to learn of Lee’s passing.
I had the privilege of working with Lee when I was playing in the Western Canadian Agribition Rodeo Band at the Agridome in Regina. We had a lot of fun working the crowd together.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
The world has lost a most kind, silly,fun loving man.I watched Lee at the MRCA Finals for many years hunting turkeys in the crowd and wearing so many silly hats hidden in his barrel.
Later I had the opportunity to announce MRCA and CCA rodeos with him which I was truly honored.Lee graciously accepted an invitation to perform at our Cowboy Christmas Poetry gather and promptly stole the show.Rest easy desr friend until we meet again.
My condolences to the family on your loss. Lee was a great guy. I had the pleasure and honour of working with Lee during my short time at the Moose Jaw Exhibition. He will certainly by missed.
I am sorry that I have not kept up with my visits to Moosejaw over the past sixty-five years to meet Lee’s family. Following Lee’s progress through the years through other family members I can say that he was a man of true grit.
Even though we only met Lee and Teresa in Arizona a few years back, we always loved hearing his stories and cowboy poems! Spent time with him relaxing in the hot tub as he soothed his bones and those memories are but a small part in his life. A wonderful man that will continue to live on in our hearts. Our condolences and prayers to Teresa and the family.
Our most sincere condolences to Theresa and the family! Lee stood seven foot tall amongst everyone who knew him! I worked at the Lands Branch for 20 years in the Walter Scott Bldg in Regina – that was Brands Hdqr. With Herb Parker the head boss with Brands. Many great memories! We will all miss Lee!