Eric Charles aka “ Alberta Slim”
1910-2005
Eric Edwards, popularly known as Alberta Slim, passed peacefully on November 25 in Surrey, BC. Slim was in the 96th year of his unique, creative and entertaining life. He is survived by Pearl, his loving wife and partner of 63 years, daughter Betty-Lou (Glenn Angus), son Carey (Gabriela Fodor) and grandsons Justin and Chad Edwards and Ian Angus, sisters Stella Blundell (Victoria) and Wilma Carr (Toronto) and cousins, nieces and nephews throughout Canada, the US and England. He was predeceased by brothers Stan and Bert, sisters Lil Buick and Violet Hoskins and daughter-in-law Rosa Edwards.
Eric came to Canada from Wiltshire, England with his parents, Tom and Alice, and siblings in 1920, and settled in the Lloydminster area. The family eventually homesteaded near St. Walberg, Saskatchewan.
Eric left home during the Great Depression and for a number of years, like many young men, rode the rails. During these times he sang on street corners until he landed his first job on radio station CKCK in Regina in 1937. It was from his early days in radio that Slim became known as Canada’s Yodeling Cowboy. Slim’s love of entertaining led to his creation of Alberta Slim’s Circus which became a mainstay of countless fairs and stampedes across the country for nearly two decades. It was during this time that Slim wrote and recorded over one hundred songs, many with RCA Victor. He was an authentic voice of Canada as he wrote songs based on his love of this country.
As recently as 2003, Slim performed at folk festivals in places like Whitehorse, Lloydminster and Canso, Nova Scotia. In addition to his career as a singer and songwriter, Slim was a successful businessman. After leaving circus life, he invested in real estate, and through Bar-X Enterprises Ltd., he helped many families to purchase homes in the Lower Mainland.
Music and work kept Slim young. Until he suffered a stroke in early 2004, he continued to sing every day, while operating Bar-X on a full-time basis. His energy and vigor amazed everyone around him, and he fought to overcome the effects of the stroke until the day he passed.
To learn more about the amazing life of Alberta Slim, you can visit his website, www.alberta
slim.com and email condolences to the family can be sent to
albertaslim@uniserve.com. His life will be celebrated on Sunday, December 11, at 2:00 pm in the chapel at Victory Memorial Park, 14831 28 Avenue in Surrey. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to The Centre for Child Development, 9460 — 140th Street, Surrey, Slim’s favorite charity.