It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Raymond James “Jim” Kirker. Jim
was born November 17, 1927 in Trail, British
Columbia. He was the first born child of Catherine McComb Kirker and James Kirker who immigrated to Canada from county Antrim in Northern Ireland. He is predeceased by his parents and younger brother William Percy of Calgary.
He will be greatly missed by his loving family – Margaret (nee Wright) wife of 66 years, eldest daughter Janis Elizabeth, son James Wright (Carol Wappel), and youngest daughter Jill (Chris Lough), grandchildren Kelsey Lough (Rob Wheatcroft and baby Timothy), Jennifer Lough (Shaun
Nolan), James Karl Kirker, Sarah Jane Kirker, and Phillip Kirker. And by his younger brother Mervyn Gilbert Kirker (Corinne).
Jim was very well liked and appreciated by many for his consistent good humour, and his ability to connect with people in all walks of life by sharing a joke or a story. Jim will be remembered for his passion for the oil business, for travelling the world, golfing, sailing and skiing. Jim was an avid member of Rotary Club Downtown and thoroughly enjoyed talking business,
sharing jokes and hearing about the good works of the Rotary Club
Jim received his BA in Geology in 1950 from University of British
Columbia. Jim was the consummate geologist. Having grown up in a
mining and smelting community, he started his career in mineral
exploration, but went on to spend the majority of his working life in oil
and gas exploration. His first oil and gas job was based in Edmonton but
he quickly moved to Calgary where he was active exploring the western
Canadian sedimentary basin. He had a short spell as Mining Director at Canada Northwest Energy in Perth, Australia from 1980-1982 and made many new friends on yet another continent. Upon returning to Alberta he continued his exploration career with CNWE.
Jim was most proud of his role in the discovery of Casablanca oil field offshore Spain. This oilfield is still producing now after more than 30 years and 120 million barrels of oil.
Jim was very active in the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists and in 1981, earning an Honorary membership for contributions to the society. He greatly enjoyed the annual Past Presidents dinners and the CSPG golf tournaments. He was recognized for his successful exploration of the Simonette and Obed fields with the prestigious “Stanley Slipper” award in 1991.
Jim’s family wishes to thank the staff at Care West Royal Park who cared for Jim with kindness and compassion in his last months.
A celebration of life will be held at Silver Spring Golf and Country Club (1600 Varsity Estate Drive N.W. Calgary, Alberta) on Thursday, May 11, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
If you so desire, memorial donations can be made to the Canmore Geoscience Museum at http://canmoremuseum.com/support_donations/ or to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.edenbrookcemetery.ca. Arrangements entrusted to EDEN BROOK FUNERAL HOME AND RECEPTION CENTRE, 24223 Twp Rd 242, Calgary, AB, T3Z 3K2.