John Wilson Irving

March 9th, 1946 – October 30th, 2026

It is with great sadness that the family of John Wilson Irving announces his peaceful passing, with family by his side, at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital on Friday, October 30th, 2026, at the age of 80 years.  John was predeceased by his wife of 50 remarkable years, Linda Louise Irving of Lumsden, Saskatchewan.  

John will be sadly missed by his sons: John of Lumsden, James (Karen) of Regina, and Joel (Monica) of Bakersfield, CA; eight grandchildren: Logan, Jones, Jeena, Anderson, Everett, Hannah, Noah and Emerson; and sister, Dixie (Gord) Kistner of Disley.  He was predeceased by his sisters: Bernice (Herb) Haus of Glenavon, Betty (Jack) Dalziel of Edmonton, and Jean (Lou) Goebel of Neudorf.  

John was the son of the late John and Pat Irving and was raised on a farm nine miles southwest of Disley, Saskatchewan.  He attended Rocky Lake School, not far from the farm into which he put his heart and soul.  He did spend some time at school in Disley, Balfour High School in Regina, before eventually finishing up in Lumsden.  John married Linda Luhning of Lumsden, and they would devote their lives to farming and raising their three sons on the farm.  He had an extreme passion for farming along with his love of playing baseball and hockey.  How proud he was to have played for the Disley Cardinals, White Sox and Red Sox.  He was a great third baseman and pitcher wearing jersey number 6 and earning the nickname “Big 6.”  John was an amazing father, grandpa, and uncle as well as a baseball and hockey coach to many children in the community.  John would coach his sons in baseball and hockey for many years and attended as many of their games as he could.  He lived by the values of hard work, commitment, and determination and was a devoted husband and father.  John and Linda were awarded the Century Family Farm Award as a testament to keeping the family farm tradition alive.  

John loved being on the farm and sometimes it did hold him back from traveling far from home so he could tend to the cattle year round.  He never got on an airplane in his lifetime.  He would travel by car long distances in Canada and the United States.  He made wonderful memories playing baseball in Phoenix, Arizona.    

After Linda’s passing in 2019, John found great joy and comfort in being a grandpa.  He loved his grandkids and watching them play sports.  They were all his favorite players.  He would teach the grandkids everything he knew about farming and sports and how to do it the right way.    

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors and nurses of Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital in Moose Jaw for their kindness, care and compassion during a difficult time.  

A private family interment will take place at Disley Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring of 2027, with the date and location to be announced.  As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made in John’s name to St. Andrew’s United Church, 115 King St., Lumsden, SK S0G 3C0.  To leave an online message of condolence, please visit moosejawfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Gary McDowell, Funeral Director 306-693-4550