Obituary of Gavin Shearer

Please click here to view the livestream of the service

It is with great sadness that the family announces Tex’s passing on March 19, 2020.  Gavin was born in Carstairs, Alberta, on July 3, 1938.  He enjoyed a 36-year career in the RCMP, and served two tours with the Musical Ride, travelling all over Canada and the US.  He was an Equitation Instructor at Depot in Regina, and in 1966, trained the last troop that took this training before the program was discontinued.  One of the horses he worked with during his career, Burmese, was gifted to Queen Elizabeth.  Tex and Bernice were invited to the Queen’s dedication of Burmese’s statue in Wascana Park.  Tex proudly escorted the Royal Family on many occasions, and along with Dan McEachern and his team of horses, accompanied the Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governors on many ceremonial occasions. 

Tex married Bernice McEachern on November 23, 1963.  They resided in Regina until the fall of 1966, when he was transferred to Ottawa to train the horses for the Musical Ride.  They relocated back west in 1968, and after postings in North Battleford, Cut Knife, and Fort Qu’Appelle, they settled in Regina.

When Tex retired from the RCMP, he began working at the Provincial Courthouse, and developed many close friendships.  He continued on with his involvement with Ranch Erhlo, and was very proud of the programs that were offered to support the families in need.

Tex was predeceased by his wife Bernice (nee McEachern); parents, John and Freda (nee Casebeer) Shearer; in-laws Basil and Elva McEachern; and treasured grandson Will Dufault.  He is survived by daughter Heather Shearer-Rowell (Don), grandson Taggart Rowell; daughter Karen Dufault (Jean), granddaughters Madison (Scott) Bollefer, and Kellsie Dufault (Drayton); the McEachern family; special friends Laura and Fred Ross, Madeleine Jezegou, the Emmert family in Oregon, and the Casebeer & Shearer cousins.  Tex was blessed with special neighbours Joe and Monica Onufer, and Donna Miller. 

The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers of Santa Maria for their kind care, and would like to express our appreciation to the RCMP Vets for their visits and support.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a private Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.  To view the livestream of the service please click on the link above on the day of the service.   Private interment service to follow at the RCMP Cemetery.