Obituary of John James Smoker

The family of John James Smoker of Yorkton, beloved husband of Misty Blue Smoker sadly announce his passing on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at the age of 60 years. There will be a Tribute Service held on Sunday, July 19 at 7:00p.m. from the Yorkton Friendship Centre, with a time of Fellowship beginning at 4:00p.m. Due to Covid-19 please practice social distancing and the family asks that no children attend. Thank you The interment will follow on Monday in the Kahkewistahaw Cemetery. Memorials in memory of John Smoker may be made to Reconciliation Canada Suite 206 - 1999 Marine Drive North Vancouver British Columbia V7P 3J3 as gifts of remembrance. Our John, sadly passed away on July 14/2020 in the ICU at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina, Saskatchewan after a three week battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He fought valiantly to survive for his family and all the people he loved so dearly. John was born to Isadore and Georgina Smoker (Favel) on August 9/1959. With his siblings, Marie, Wilburt, Doreen, Agnus, Brenda, George, Marvin and Robert, their family was complete. Sadly, the government had other plans for this family and split them up in the 60s Scoop and life was never the same again. For many years John was known as ‘Jimmy Chorney' and he was unaware of his Indigenous roots. With this name, he moved back and forth between Alsask, Saskatchewan and Alberta, there he married twice and had his children, Darla, Devin, Dana, Damien, Amanda & Cody. Upon returning to Saskatchewan he stumbled on his true identity by accident and made his way to Kahkewistahaw First Nation, his rightful home. He met some of his siblings for the first time and was broken to find out that he lost out on his childhood, cultural identity and the love of his parents and family. Chief Louis Taypotat signed his first treaty card and John was so proud of this and still carried it around to this day. It was the first time he could acknowledge his true birth name and embrace his indigenous identity. John returned back to Alberta for a time and married once again, there he welcomed his daughter Terri-Jo. Throughout his life, John struggled with alcoholism. From a young age, he knew something wasn't right, he felt lost and knew that he was missing out on something. After finding out that he was an Indigenous man, with roots and family members that were searching for him, John found his voice in the fellowship of AA in 1996. John would have celebrated 24 years of sobriety this fall. He was and is beloved by his brothers and sisters in the fellowship and he shared his life story time and time again. He knew that if his life story could help just one person achieve sobriety, all the pain and sadness he endured was worth it. In 2004, John met his forever family when he met Misty and her four children Dillan, Kenidi, Brooke and Karas. From there, their love grew with the birth of their baby boy Zane James in 2005. John gained sisters, brothers, and parents who loved him so. Their relationship was not without struggles but they ‘endeavoured to persevere' as John liked to say. He took on the role of loving father and he excelled at it! He was the fun dad that always found joy in everything, even a simple walk in the park was an adventure. John and his children had many ‘DTMs' (don't tell mom) that they will forever hold dear in their hearts. Many times there was heartache, and separations but throughout it all, John and Misty strived to make things better for their family. John is predeceased by his parents Isadore and Georgina. His siblings, Marie, Wilburt, Doreen, Agnus, Brenda, George, and Marvin, grandparents, nieces, nephews and his fur baby Rex. He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife Misty, his children, his in-laws Vicky Wapemoose and Adam Peepeetch, sisters and brothers-in-law Stella and Evan Bulych, Tamara Peepeetch (Kris), brothers-in-law Dennis and Lance Peepeetch, and many grandchildren, nieces, nephews cousins and friends. John knew that his life was nearing completion and he wrote about it in his journal. Starting in December 2019, he wrote of visions that he experienced and his wishes upon his death. He expressed that he did not want a traditional service. It was too traumatic for him when his last brother passed away in 2018. While he embraced his cultural traditions, the idea of his children enduring all that sadness is too great to bear. We will honour our John the way he wants, a simple service, a time of fellowship and his ashes placed at his mother's grave. Service Details. Tribute Service When: Sunday, July 19th, 2020 7:00pm Location: Yorkton Friendship Centre Address: 139 Dominion Ave. YORKTON, SK S3N 1S3 Interment Location: Kahkewistahaw Cemetery Address: Hwy # 201 Broadview district, SK S0G 0K0 Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of John Smoker August 9, 1959 - July 14, 2020 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book