Glen Somerville
March 25, 1942 – December 12, 2025
Competing at the Big M Stampede in Morris, Manitoba in 1982
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association marks the passing of former chuckwagon driver Glen Somerville, who passed away on Friday, December 12, 2025, at the age of 83.
Glen’s love for chuckwagon racing began at a young age after attending the Calgary Stampede with his father, where witnessing the races for the first time sparked a lifelong dream of becoming a chuckwagon driver.
That dream became reality in 1972 when, after purchasing some horses from a dispersal sale at Doyle Seely’s PMU barn, Glen made his debut at the Manning Rodeo and Race Meet. Over the next several years, he competed primarily in the Peace Country, holding permits with both the Canadian Rodeo Cowboys Association and later the WPCA. Glen ran in the very first chuckwagon race at the inaugural Grande Prairie Stompede in 1978, and he gave future chuckwagon great Jim Nevada his first ride as an outrider at the 1979 Grande Prairie Stompede.
In 1982, Glen expanded his racing schedule across Western Canada and was named the WPCA’s Top Permit Driver, while also receiving a WPCA Active Supporter Award. He continued to find success closer to home, winning the chuckwagon races in High Level in 1983, and earning a breakthrough season in 1987 when he won races at High Level, Eureka River, and Manning. Glen was named the Peace Country Chuckwagon and Chariot Association (PCCCA)’s Most Improved Driver in 1987 and narrowly missed qualifying for the Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby for 1988.
Glen’s driving career concluded following an automobile accident in 1989, though he would later return to the track as a replacement driver for his son Kelly in the Western Chuckwagon Association (WCA), including his final race in 2010 at the Grande Prairie Stompede.
What began as a childhood dream grew into a three-generation family legacy in chuckwagon racing, with sons and grandchildren competing as drivers and outriders, and other family members serving as dedicated supporters and officials.
Glen is survived by his wife, Linora; sons Kelly (Kendra), Don (Deanna), and Trevor (Michelle); daughter Marie (Colton); and sisters June Lyons of Fairview, Ina Nielson of Camrose, and Vera Elson of Cochrane. He is also survived by his brothers, Allen Somerville of Stettler, Dean Somerville of Calgary, and Dan Somerville of Beaverlodge; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Glen was predeceased by his father, Lester Somerville; his mother, Ellen Somerville; brothers Earl and Ray; sisters Nellie and Amy; and granddaughter Shannon.
A memorial service for Glen Somerville will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at the Clairmont Ag Society Hall, 9819 – 100 Ave., Clairmont, Alberta. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Glen’s memory to the Alzheimer Society of Canada https://alzheimer.ca/en.
Glen Somerville’s contributions to chuckwagon racing will be remembered, and the World Professional Chuckwagon Association extends its sincere condolences to the Somerville family.
Billy Melville
