With great sadness we announce that Jim passed away at Castleview Care Centre on December 8 at the age of 90. He was born in Billings, Montana on August 14, 1924. He graduated from Billings High in June 1942 and entered the US Army in December 1942.
Jim served as a tank driver in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. He spent 6 months on the Anzio Beachhead before starting out towards Rome. He then went on to Germany, and France, spending 30 months overseas. He was wounded twice and received the Purple
Heart with an Oakleaf Cluster and a Bronze Star for his service. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant in August 1945. He married Dolores Ann Quayle in 1947 and received his Bachelor of Education at Rocky Mountain College in Billings.
Jim and Dosie moved to Castlegar in 1959, where he accepted a teaching position at SHSS. He eventually became a Counselor at Stanley Humphries and went on to receive his Masters Degree from the University of Victoria.
Jim retired in 1988 and enjoyed a long and healthy retirement.
He was a volunteer for the Castlegar Library, was active in Rotary, Parks and Trails, he worked on the Trans Canada Trail, enjoyed classes at the Rec Centre, and worked for Senior Games.
He was an athlete all his life, playing football in college, refereeing basketball during his years at SHSS, running, skiing (downhill and crosscountry) and hiking.
He loved cycling and cycled the Castlegar area, the Columbia and Western Trail (Robson to Midway), the KVR and Myra Canyon several times. There were also cycling trips to Ottawa and Vermont.
He was a loving husband and father - he had a wonderful sense of humour, he loved all animals, especially dogs and he loved teaching. He will be greatly missed.
Jim is survived by his wife, Dosie, and his children Terri (Iain) Stark, and Michael (Avis) Crawford, 3 grandchildren, Allison, Geoffrey and Julia and one great-grandson Liam.
Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Jim’s life will take place in the Spring of 2015.
ln lieu of flowers a donation to the SPCA in Jim’s name would be appreciated.