The agriculture sector is mourning the loss of a prominent player.

Cor Van Raay lived in the Lethbridge area, but was known across the Prairies.

He passed away on Thursday, July 29th at the age of 85 and is being remembered as a prominent cattle and grain farmer, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

According to his obituary, he started his farming career in Alberta growing beets, and would later add barley, potatoes, and wheat to his crops. In time, he bought land and cattle, and developed large feedlots, and honed his marketing skills. In later years, he successfully extended his farming enterprises into West Central Saskatchewan.

He received many honors including the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, induction into the Alberta Hall of Fame, Picture Butte's Citizen of the Year award, and an Honorary Doctor of Law from the University of Lethbridge.

He will be remembered with a funeral mass Thursday at 11 am at St. Martha's Catholic Parish at Lethbridge.