Barry Wayne Geates

In loving memory ~

Barry was a husband, father, grandfather, physician, musician and outdoor enthusiast who embraced life's adventures to the fullest.

Barry Wayne Geates was born in North Battleford, SK, to Robert and Mildred (Whipps) Geates, the oldest of two boys. He was raised on a farm until his family moved to Lacombe when he was fourteen.

Barry loved music and played the tuba in school. He learned to play the double bass at CUC, which became a lifelong passion. One musical highlight of Barry's younger years was touring in Poland with the Walla Walla College band in 1979.

Barry completed a degree in biomedical electronics and obtained his pilot license at WWC. He continued on to study medicine at University of Alberta. While studying in Edmonton, Barry met the lovely new teacher at Coralwood Adventist Academy, who hailed from Prince Edward Island. On July 12, 1985, he and Sandra Faye Coles were married.

Following graduation from medical school in 1986, Barry and Faye moved to Lacombe, where he established a practice as a General Practitioner and Hospitalist. Dr. Geates was still a practicing physician at the time of his passing.

A son, Alexander Barry, was born to Barry and Faye in 1992. Alexander is married to Kathleen Murphy and they have a young son, Hudson. They are a farm family and will greatly miss Barry's help and support.

The outdoor world was Barry's playground, and he skied, cycled, climbed, hiked, paddled, flew and snowshoed almost every inch of it. Faye accompanied him on many of these trips and has been a tremendously good sport to keep up with her husband. Barry's passion for adventure led him to the heights of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Everest Base Camp, and the Annapurna Circuit. He made three trips to Nepal with the Wilderness Medical Association and gained his Wilderness Advanced Life Support certification. He hiked the Pacific and Appalachian trails, cycled the MS bike trip every year, camped in remote huts in the mountains, skied the slopes, and paddled lakes and rivers with his family and friends. Sadly, the kayaking trip on Clearwater River was his final stop, but our hope is sure that he will find high mountains, blue rivers, and green forests to explore for eternity. We cannot wait for that day.

Please consider a donation to Rocky Mountain House Search and Rescue in appreciation of their bravery and compassion. The link is provided below.

https://www.clearwatercounty.ca/m/rocky-sar/donate-now

A funeral service will be held for Dr. Barry Geates on July 27th at 3:00 pm at the College Heights Seventh-Day Adventist Church.