Terry Evan Wickett

It is with profound sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of Terry Evan Wickett of Nanton, Alberta, beloved Husband, Dad, Father-in-law, and Papa on December 21, 2021, at the age of 64 in the ICU unit at the McCaig Tower in Calgary, Alberta surrounded by his family.

Terry was born on November 25, 1957, in Milden, Saskatchewan to George and Donna Wickett and was the younger sibling of his brother Randy.  Terry was raised on the family farm in the Glamis district and attended school at Glamis and Rosetown, Saskatchewan, and graduated from the Rosetown Composite High School in 1975.  

A strong work ethic was instilled in Terry at a young age on the farm by his Dad. There was always work to be done and when time permitted during the summer, the family getaway was their cabin at Clearwater Lake, SK. where the water was Terry’s second home. As a teenager, Terry played both baseball and football. He also had a keen interest in martial arts and took karate and Jiu-Jitsu lessons. Terry played fastball with the Nanton Knights for several years and enjoyed curling, golfing, fishing, hunting, shooting competitions, and lightning photography throughout his lifetime. He was an avid sports fan but liked nothing better than watching his boys in earlier years play hockey and baseball and took great pride in cheering on his grandkids playing the same. He was also a diehard Saskatchewan Roughrider and Edmonton Oiler fan.  

At the age of 18, Terry applied for the RCMP. While awaiting his acceptance, Terry worked at the Gulf Service Station, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, and Clements Funeral Home all in Rosetown.

On July 19th, 1980 he married his “childhood crush”, Donna Brooks, in Rosetown, SK. On August 12th, 1980 Terry reported to the Recruit Training Depot in Regina, SK. to start his RCMP career training and graduated from Depot in February of 1981.  

Terry’s RCMP detachment postings included St. Albert, Morinville, Nanton, Provost, and Claresholm, AB. His career spanned 37 years with the RCMP and he was the consummate professional who lived by the core values of loyalty, honor, integrity, honesty, professionalism, compassion, respect,  accountability, and selfless service.  Sgt. T.E. Wickett retired from the RCMP on Oct. 24th, 2017, and retired in Nanton, AB. with his wife, Donna.   

Throughout his RCMP service, Terry received various accolades and service-related awards. One of the more prestigious awards he received was in 2012.  He was very humbled and honored to be nominated and awarded one of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals.  This medal was awarded to Canadians who made a significant contribution to their fellow countrymen, their community, or to Canada as well as their honorable service. Terry’s community involvement both personally and professionally in the towns in which he served was significant in his receiving this honor.

Terry’s passion for guns started at a young age and he spent countless hours shooting tin cans for target practice and hunting gophers.  There was no doubt that those years of practice on the farm contributed to his marksmanship as a “Distinguished Sharpshooter” with the RCMP.  He later became a Firearms Instructor and instructed RCMP members in southern Alberta for many years.  Terry’s marksmanship also earned him two silver medals at the World Police Fire Games in 1997 as well as one individual gold medal and three team silver medals in the pistol events at the CanAm Police Fire Games in 1998.  He was known by many of his colleagues as “Dead Eye Wickett”.

Policing in small rural towns was “slightly different” than policing larger municipalities in Terry’s eyes.   He was the kind of officer who enforced the law with a large “gray area” attitude and not one where everything was “black and white”. Terry got to know the people within the community in which he served and mutual respect became apparent very quickly.  He was of the strong belief that it was important to not only build rapport with the adults but the youth as well within the community in which you worked because a positive influence would not only have an impact but “make a difference.”  Working as a Constable in Nanton for over 15 years gave Terry not only the opportunity of getting to know the people but an opportunity to build a great rapport with the kids.  They came to know him not only as Constable Wickett but just as “Terry”.  His larger-than-life personality coupled with a witty sense of humor was a magnet when it came to people and as for the kids...well... they were drawn to that “still a kid at heart” spirit that he so strongly possessed.  Yes, there were times they crossed the line and he let them know it but in the end, he never held it against them nor were they against him. He had a way of knowing when they needed a pat on the back and to say..."hey, we all make mistakes, learn from them and move on".

Terry was a proud “Nantonite” who cared very much for this town, its community, and the people.  He believed getting “involved” and “giving back” to a community is what “small town” living was all about.  Throughout the years, his volunteer hours were many from coaching his sons’ sports teams to being a member on various boards, groups, and committees. After his retirement from the RCMP in 2017, Terry served as a Councillor on the Nanton Town Council and was re-elected in the fall of 2021. He was also a proud veteran of the Royal Canadian Legion Nanton Branch and was a very patriotic Canadian who had deep respect and admiration for the country in which he served.  

Terry and Donna traveled to several countries abroad throughout the years. They also enjoyed their time visiting Terry’s parents in Yuma, Arizona for several winters. He loved spending time at the lake with family at their cabin at Coteau on Lake Diefenbaker in Saskatchewan where they spent their summers. Nothing gave him more enjoyment than being on their pontoon boat and pulling his kids and grandkids on the tube, fishing or just sailing the lake for hours and listening to his favorite tunes. Hawaii was Terry’s paradise. He and Donna traveled there a few times and in 2018 fulfilled his retirement promise of taking his family there.       

No one had more zest for life than Terry. He lived life to the fullest and touched the “hearts” of many along the way. He was an incredible “people person” with a jovial personality, had such a “big heart”, possessed the best sense of humor and wittiness and was, a relentless prankster and practical joker who had the “devil in his eye”, a mischievous grin and an evil laugh when he knew he was busted. Terry was also a humorous “storyteller” whose life was filled with lots of laughter and fun. He believed that laughter added the spark in life, propelled you through the tough times, and triggered your happy radar.  

Terry’s unwavering mentorship and “influence” during the course of his lifetime was felt far and wide and he had such a “profound impact” on so many people’s lives from young and old alike.  No truer words were written by Brad about his Dad, “We don’t need to tell anyone how incredible of a human he was. He cherished every conversation with everyone he met and selflessly put all of us ahead of himself, that’s just who he was - simply larger than life.”  

Terry’s greatest pride and joy were his sons, Brad and Ty, his daughters-in-law, Shannon and Laura, and his seven grandchildren; Addy, Hudson, Leo, Oscar (Osman), Mav (Bubs), Ophelia (Miss O), and Estelle who he loved dearly and adored. He treasured his time with them, took great pride in attending all of their activities, and was their biggest cheerleader beaming from ear to ear. Their Papa was special and meant the world to them. They loved spending time with him where there was never a shortage of laughter, fun, and some teasing along the way. Terry was so incredibly proud of each of them and loved them all unconditionally.

He was not only our devoted and loving Husband, Dad, Father-in-law, and Papa, he was our “hero” who’s left a hole in our hearts and will be profoundly missed, forever remembered and so loved by his family and all who knew him. He left a significant “mark” in this world and an “unforgettable legacy”. Terry will be remembered for many things throughout his life but these words exemplify and epitomize the person he so genuinely was “to leave the places you go and the people you meet a little better than you found them.”  

He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife and soul mate of 41 years, Donna; son Bradley (Shannon) and their children, Addison and Hudson; son Tyler (Laura) and their children, Leonardo, Oscar, Maverick, Ophelia, and Estelle all of Nanton, AB.; his loving Mom, Donna Wickett and mother-in-law, Lavona Brooks; sister-in-law Melanie Wickett; nephew Ryan (Amber) Wickett and their children, Cohen, Hadley and Beckham; brother-in-law Perry Brooks; niece Hailey (Tyler) Wynnyk and their children, Remy and Rory; brother-in-law Doug (Susan) Brooks; nephew Devon (Kelsey) Brooks and their daughter Mya; niece Kami Brooks all of Rosetown, SK.; nieces Jenilee Brooks (Connor) and their children Emree and Parker of Warman, SK. and Samantha Brooks (Matt) of Dinsmore, SK.; sister-in-law Rhonda Brooks-Dys (Duane) of Langdon, AB. and nephews Devon Dys (Gheraldine) and Donovan Dys (Cindy) all of Calgary, AB.  Terry is also survived by his Aunts; Doris Aseltine of Tisdale, SK. and Gloria Nickell of Swift Current, SK. and his Uncle and Aunt, Don and Jean Wickett of Kelowna, B.C., and several cousins.

Terry was predeceased by his father George Wickett, brother Randall Wickett, father-in-law Ronald Brooks, grandparents Harlie and Susan Nickell and Norman and Mabel Wickett as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

This is not “goodbye” Ter....just CYUL8TR and I know that K.C. will be running across that rainbow bridge to greet you.  Always in my heart...forever in my soul....Love you forever Babe......xoxo BBB/BH

Thank you to the Doctors, Nurses, and Staff at the Foothills Hospital and McCaig Tower for the care Terry received. Also, we wish to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support at this most difficult time. 

In lieu of flowers, we graciously ask donations be sent to the

Nanton Community & Athletic Society in memory of Terry Wickett

Box 725, Nanton, AB,  T0L 1R0

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Terry Evan Wickett, please visit our floral store.