As Cowboy Oriented Web Sites founders, we feel blessed to have had Ken Stiles in our lives. Although we were saddened by his passing, we know he is now Home, free of pain and watching over all of us that were fortunate to have known him. Ken mentored us over the past few years, and became a cherished friend to both Sandra and I. It was only a year ago that Ken surprised us by coming to Calgary Bull Sale to see us - you would never guess the battle with cancer he was enduring that day - as he greeted us with a radiant smile, hugs and questions of how we were doing. Only a year later, nearly to the day, while attending Calgary Bull Sale with our booth again, we were made aware of Ken's passing and the same day attended a celebration of his life. At the funeral service, we learned we are only two of many people whose lives were touched by this fine man. Ken, we are so grateful of the business knowledge and the wise advice you willingly shared with us, always guiding gently with your kind, warm demeanor. Your words to us will continue to guide us on our journey here at COWS and every future endeavor. Thank you so much - and we'll see you again when our time comes.

Kenneth Roy Stiles
May 3, 1939 - February 24, 2006

Kenneth Roy Stiles, beloved husband, father, stockman, philanthropist and businessman, passed away peacefully at his home in Calgary on Friday, February 24, 2006 from complications related to leukemia.

Born in Didsbury, AB, Ken began his education riding a horse to a one-room schoolhouse three miles from the family farm near Didsbury, AB. He attended the Vermilion School of Agriculture as well as the University of Alberta, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Economics and met the love of his life and his wife of forty-four years, Arlene (nee McKay).

Ken's career included farming and ranching, management of growing and successful law firms, senior management positions, and directorships in a variety of Alberta industries. He played a significant role in Hockey Canada, working diligently to ensure a meaningful educational scholarship program for players participating in Canada's junior leagues. A former leader of the Meadowbank 4-H Beef Club, he was also a founding member of the Pekisko Landowners' Association and was dedicated to the preservation of fescue grasslands on the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

He is among the last of a generation who knows what it was to farm with horses. All who knew him respected his warmth, intelligence, honour, sage counsel and the unbreakable value of his handshake.

Ken is survived and forever missed by his wife Arlene; sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Theresa and Patrick and Patty; grandchildren Madeleine, Eve, Summer and McKay; brother and sister-in-law Donald and Daphne; nephews, Andrew, Philip and Jeff; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Vern and Pat McKay and Maxine and Garry Rogers; nieces and nephews, Kathy, Peggy, Susan, Doug and Debbie. He is predeceased by his son Timothy Edward and his brother Gordon.